The class, Linux for Developers, requires you to have an installed instance of Linux. You can install your own Linux system. However, may be more convenient to download and install of the pre-built virtual machine images below.
Installation Instructions
The file you download will be a tar.xz file which can be unpacked with the tool, 7-zip, and likely other tools as well.
The tar.xz file includes a large file with the extension, .vmdk. This file is the virtual disk image, which can be used with VirtualBox, VMWare Workstation, and other virtual machine programs Instructions for VirtualBox or VMWare Workstation are below.
VMWare Workstation (including VMWare Workstation Player)
Import the virtual machine by picking from the menus, File/Open a Virtual Machine. Then navigate to where you unpacked the .tar.xz file and select the .vmx file. If prompted to pick if the image was copied or moved, pick “I copied it”
Your new virtual machine should now be seen in the list. You can start the virtual machine by selecting your newly added virtual machine and click the green arrow labeled ‘Power On’
VirtualBox
Create a new appliance by selecting Machine/New in the menus. Name the virtual machine, e.g. Ubuntu. Accept the default or pick a new folder for the location of the new virtual machine. Pick ‘Linux’ for the type. Use Ubuntu (64-bit) for the Version. Then click Next.
On the next screen, pick a memory size that is good for your machine. 4MB is a good size, but don’t select more than half of your physical memory which will be shown under the slider bar. Then click Next.
On this screen is very important that you select ‘Use an existing virtual hard disk file’. Then click the folder icon and navigate to where you unpacked the tar.xz file and select the .vmdk file. Then click Create.
Your new virtual machine should now be seen in the list. You can start the virtual machine by selecting your newly added virtual machine and click the green arrow labeled ‘Start’
Using the Virtual Machine
When the virtual machine boots up, it will ask for login credentials. The user is ‘Learner‘ (which is likely already selected), and the password is ‘learner‘ (note all lower case).