========
Overview
========


After about 8 years of experience teaching this course with `Cygwin <https://www.cygwin.com/>`_
as the primary environment for PC users and *fink*, then `Macports <https://www.macports.org>`_
for Mac users, I have finally decided to move to a unified platform.

This has been made possible by the emergence of **Virtualization Technology**, which
allows one to use the hardware on a single machine and make several *Virtual Machines*.
Each Virtual Machine (**VM**), while it is running, shares the CPU, memory, hard drive, and
other components of the *real* hardware.

Since there is a robust *FREE* Virtual Machine application, and a *FREE* Unix operating system
which comes with all the scientific tools (open-source, of course) we need, *AND* this
system looks the same whether you have a PC or a Mac, it's like finding the `Unified Field
Theory <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_everything>`_ that incorporates general 
relativity and quantum field theory. Well, almost...

So, we have a simple set of steps ahead of us.

------------------------

+ First we install **VirtualBox** from *Oracle*

  This is pretty easy; download the package and click *Next* a bunch of times as it installs.

------------------------

+ Then we *create a Virtual Machine* on which we will do our science

  This is easy too, although you might have to go into your BIOS and make a couple adjustments
  if you want to use the full power of your 64-bit computer.

  This leaves you with a new-born baby (virtual) machine. No operating system, no files, nothing.

-------------------------

+ Now we install **Fedora Linux--Scientific Spin**

  Bang! We download the Fedora ISO, put the virtual DVD in the virtual
  DVD slot, and reboot.  Answer a couple questions, make *root* and
  *user* accounts, click *Install*, go have coffee.  When you finish
  your cup-a-joe, you reboot your VM and you now have a brand new
  computer asking you to login.

-------------------------

+ Login and look around. Then **Configure a few helpful items**.

  We will add the *Guest Additions*, programs which integrate your new
  VM with your "*host*" OS (i.e. your PC or your Mac). This gives you
  "*Seamless*" integration of the two operating systems, as if all
  features of both were built into one.

-------------------------

You will also

+ Set up **Shared Folders**

  so that you can easily access files across your two machines: your
  original computer that your Mom and Dad bought you <--> and your new
  VM that you just built from stuff you downloaded from the Internet.

*Ready?*