Help for Windows users in Math 625

A Windows computer is entirely unsuitable for the purposes of Math 625. You will need to get your hands on Linux. Here are some suggestions. I have listed them in the order of increasing need for technical knowledge about computers. Thus, the first option requires very little know-how, but the resulting system will be quite sluggish. The 3rd and 4th option are ideal, but you need to know a thing or two about configuring hardware.

PS: After I sent these notes to the class yesterday, Carlos Barajas wrote, pointing out yet another alternative. I have added that at the end as Option 5. Had I know about this before, I would have placed it between options 1 and 2.

Option 1. Linux on a USB memory stick
Installing Linux on a USB memory stick has the advantage that is does not disturb your computer at all. You plug in the stick, reboot your computer into Linux, do your work, and when you are done, reboot to return to Windows. An 8 GB stick will do but use a 16 GB stick if you have one.

This method requires only a small amount of technical knowledge, and therefore it is suitable for those who are not very comfortable with computers. Its major disadvantage is that running an operating system from a memory stick can be v–e–r–y s–l–o–w. Don't use this option if you can afford one of the other ones. But if you have to use this option, here are the necessary steps.

  1. Begin with downloading a Linux distribution into your Windows computer. By this, I mean download it to your computer's hard disk or whatever, NOT to the USB stick. I recommend Ubuntu MATE. Specifically, go to the download page and select the "64-bit PCs/Macs" option. This assumes that your computer's CPU works with 64-bits. If your computer is relatively new (5 to 6 years old), then probably it has a 64-bit CPU. Ask a classmate or me if you are not sure. Much older computers have 32-bit CPUs. Unfortunately the USB stick method will not work with those.

    After you select the "64-bit PCs/Macs" option, you will be asked to choose between the 18.4.5 and 20.04.1 versions. Pick the 20.04.1 version. This will download a single file named ubuntu-mate-20.04.1-desktop-amd64.iso to your computer. The file size is about 2.5GB, so it may take some time to finish.

  2. You will need Rufus to put the downloaded Linux MATE on the USB stick. Download Rufus and run it on your Windows machine (no need to install). It will present a dialog box like the picture shown below in which you will enter the required information. Slide the Persistent Partition Size slider (marked with a red arrow in the picture) all the way to the right to use all available storage on the USB stick for your purposes.

    Click the Start button to install Linux MATE on the USB stick.

  3. Reboot your computer. You need to tell it to boot from the USB stick. How that is done depends on the brand of you computer. Generally you need to fiddle around with the BIOS settings. If you don't know how, ask someone who is more technically knowledgeable about computers.
That's all. Now you can begin using Linux to do your coursework.
Option 2. Linux on a spare machine
If you have an old, unused computer, you may install Linux on it. Even an old laptop will do.
Option 3. VirtualBox
Install VirtualBox on your Windows machine. Then within VirtualBox install Linux.
Option 4. Make a dual-boot machine
Install Linux side-by-side on your Windows machine. This requires partitioning your disk to make room for a second operating system. Then your machine will become dual-boot, that is, it will prompt you whether you want to start Linux or Windows every time you reboot it.
Option 5. WSL
(Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), provided by Microsoft, enables running Linux within an ordinary window in Windows. Follow the instruction in that link to install WSL on your Windows machine. Specifically, this page describes the details of what needs to be done.

WSL provides access to the Linux command-line which is needed throughout this course. For graphics (which we will need in the second half of the course) you need to install an X server. The following instructions are extracted from an email from Carlos Barajas. 

There are 2 things you have to do to make WSL work with
graphical applications.

1. Install vcxsrv

https://sourceforge.net/projects/vcxsrv/

2. Add 2 lines to your ~/.bashrc

export LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT=1
export DISPLAY=localhost:0.0

3. Run

"C:\Program Files\VcXsrv\xlaunch.exe"
> Multiple Windows
> Start no client
> Default boxes checked

Now you should be ready to run any graphical applications
on your WSL installation.

Here is a link to some similar instructions:
https://www.scivision.dev/x11-gui-windows-subsystem-for-linux/

WSL has access to all your windows files in /mnt/

There are some extra instructions one can do to make the experience
smoother but these are the bare minimum to get things running.