$Id: bootstrap.txt,v 1.6 1994/09/28 12:24:36 marcus1 Exp $

[If you receive this document via Email this means that you are enrolled 
 in the upcoming gna-oop-course.]

C++ Course Bootstrap Document
*****************************

Purpose
=======

The purpose of this document is to provide the minimum information
needed to access the GNA "Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming
Using C++".

 1. Registration Procedure 
    1. Schedule 
    2. Procedure 
    3. Fees 
 2. Compiler and Language Questions 
    1. Must I know C to follow this course? 
    2. Which Compiler Should I Use? 
 3. What is the "World-Wide Web" 
    1. How do I get to the class notes? 
    2. If that fails... 
    3. What can I do until the course begins? 
 4. What is the "Virtual Campus" 
    1. How do I get to the class notes? 
    2. If that fails... 
    3. What can I do until the course begins? 
 5. I'm still lost.......[course coordinators] 



 1. Registration Procedure
 =========================

    1. Schedule
    +++++++++++

      The class is officially scheduled to begin on October 3, 1994. A
      rough draft of the class notes is available right now, and
      consultants are also available to answer any of your
      questions. You are encouraged to use these services even
      though the class has not officially started.

      The specific requirements for the course will vary with each
      individual student, and will be defined using learning
      contracts.

    2. Procedure
    ++++++++++++

      If you have a WWW client supports html forms, you may register for
      this course by filling out the form located at
      "http://uu-gna.mit.edu:8001/uu-gna/text/cc/adm/regform.html".

      If you wish to register for this course but don't have a WWW
      client that supports forms, then please fetch the GNA Personnel
      Form and send it filled to <gna-personnel@uu-gna.mit.edu>,
      and also notify the course coordinator via email, with the
      string "gna-oop-course" in the "Subject:" header of your
      mail (see 5. for addresses). The text form can also be obtained
      via anonymous FTP from ftp.desy.de in directory pub/uu-gna as
      file personnel.txt.


    3. Fees
    +++++++

      If you are taking the class, you are requested to make a donation to the
      Globewide Network Academy. This donation may or may not be monetary
      and can consist of time or energy help the university. Since lots of
      patience and enthusiasm is expected from students of this GNA
      prototype course, fee matters won't be handled very strictly now. Your
      "donation" could for example in helping to complete courseware or
      building for the interactive learning environment. 


2. Compiler and Language Questions
==================================

   In this section, we address problems you may have with your computing
   environment or the skills required to follow the course. We depend on your
   comments to add to it. 

   1. Must I know C to follow this course?
   +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      The emphasis of this course is on learning object-oriented
      techniques, and another language than C++ could have been
      chosen. Though the tutorial on which the hypertextbook is based
      says that C is a precondition, we think it is possible to start
      with C++, though you should have programmed before in another
      high-level language: we will not teach you basic techniques how
      to edit, compile, run or print a program on your system.

      On the other hand, familiarizing yourself with C is never a bad
      idea and certainly will help you to understand C++ faster.
      On the Web, a complete C tutorial is available, too (URL 
      http://www.strath.ac.uk/CC/Courses/CCourse/CCourse.html).

      Our recommendation is you try to follow the course from the very
      beginning and find out whether the hurdle is set too high for
      you.

   2. Which Compiler Should I Use?
   +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      Since the course is self-paced, you are assumed to have a C++
      compiler up and running on either a PC or a Unix box. The sample
      programs for this course are known to compile under Borland C++
      and will be checked to compile with the free GNU C++ compiler
      (and other machines when time allows, such as SUN, SGI and HP).

 3. What is the "World-Wide Web?"
 ================================

   The World-Wide Web [WWW, Web, W3] is a distributed HyperText system
   (a network of documents connected by links which can be activated
   electronically). The class notes for this and other GNA courses are
   located on WWW.

    1. How do I get to the class notes?
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      Documents on WWW each have an address which is known as a
      universal resource locator (or URL) and can be read on local machines
      using a program known as a client. In order to get to the class notes ask
      your local system manager about the commands needed to use WWW
      and to the address 

      http://uu-gna.mit.edu:8001/uu-gna/text/cc/index.html

      [mirrored weekly in Europe at DESY, URL
       http:/www.desy.de/gna/html/cc/index.html]

    2. If that fails.......
    +++++++++++++++++++++++

      If this fails, try to execute the following command to enter WWW: 

      telnet info.cern.ch

      Once you are connected to the Web, enter the following command 

      go http://uu-gna.mit.edu:8001/uu-gna/text/cc/index.html

      Some information on Web access methods and clients is available in
      the file "www.txt" obtainable via anonymous FTP from ftp.desy.de in
      directory pub/uu-gna. 

      Try also to ask your local system administrator about WWW access. 

    3. What can I do until the course begins?
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

       o Make yourself comfortable on the Web if you haven't used it
         before. 
       o Comment on the WWW courseware, the hypertext class notes.
         Find errors if you can: in the text, or in the Hypertext
         documents (dead links e.g.) 
       o Send E-mail to <marcus@x4u.desy.de> if you want to
         volunteer - there's still lots of work to do! 

 4. What is the "Virtual Campus"?
 ================================

   The GNA Virtual Campus is a networked ensemble of "MOOs" and
   "MUDs".  MUD stands for "Multi-User Dimension". A MOO is a MUD with
   object-oriented programming capabilities). Both are interactive in
   real-time for a multiple number of users. They are extensible
   through their own embedded programming language - it was used
   e.g. to create the classroom and helping objects for the C++
   course.

   During scheduled hours, online consultants will be ready to answer
   your questions on a given section of the class notes, correct your
   exercise solutions and give you (hopefully) valuable hints.

   In a following course, object-oriented programming may be taught
   using the MOO language itself.

    1. How do I get to the MOO
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

      To connect to Diversity University MOO, the place chosen for our
      class, type 

      telnet erau.db.erau.edu 8888

      Once logged in, type the following commands to be admitted as a
      "guest character" and go to our virtual classroom: 

      connect guest
      @go #2000

    2. If that fails.......
    +++++++++++++++++++++++

      If this fails, you may not have telnet. First try asking your
      local system administrator about TELNET access and the character
      of your Internet connection.

      For now, the interactive part of this course is not open to you
      without TELNET. If there are enough students with the same
      problem, we will seek a solution, e.g. by organizing
      Email-and-FTP access to consultants and transcripts of MOO
      consulting hours. Therefore, I need to know from you whether it
      works for you.

    3. What can I do until the course begins?
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

       o You need not to have an own character on the MOO to attend
         the course, but you can apply for one. 
       o To obtain status information and get to know the MOO better
         you can visit us there during certain office hours
         (status August 3, 1994) - see the schedule 
         in the classroom [@go #2000].

       o You can get a little MOO beginner's guide via anonymous FTP
         from ftp.desy.de as file 
         pub/uu-gna/moo/guide.txt. 
         The commands therein are best tried by yourself in an actual
         session. 
       o Point improvements of the classroom setup out to Marcus Speh
         <marcus@x4u.desy.de>.

 5. I'm still lost.......
 ========================


   If all else fails, please e-mail the class coordinator, Daniel Perron
       <dperron@mta.ca>, with your problem. No question too small.
