Windows Setup

Note about Virtual Machines

Windows does not follow the standard UNIX conventions that most developers use (and us in these bootcamps). In order to put everyone on more or less the same developer environment, we recommend that Windows users install a Linux virtual machine. The simplest way of doing this would be to download Virtual Box and then run Ubuntu on it. However, if you feel comfortable, you can also partition your hard-drive and dual-boot your laptop to have the option to boot Ubuntu as well.

Installing Virtual Box and Ubuntu

Virtual Box is an application that can allow you to run another operating system ("guest OS") as a normal application within your existing operating system ("host OS"), which in this case would be your Windows OS.

Download Virtual Box here.

Next, download the Ubuntu 12.04.3 ISO file here. If you have Windows 8, make sure to select the the 64-bit option. Note that this is a HUGE file (~1 GB), so try to download it early! Remember where you downloaded this ISO file.

Install and launch Virtual Box. To install a virtual machine click ‘New’ and use the recommended install parameters:

• Name: HCS
• Operating System: Linux
• Version: Ubuntu
• Base memory size: 2048 MB
• Create new hard disk (default)
• VD file type: VDI (default)
• VD storage: Dynamically allocated (default)
• VD Location: HCS Ubuntu (default)
• VD Size: 8GB (default)

This will initialize the a virtual machine called ‘HCS Ubuntu’ in the main selection window. Now we may install the Ubuntu image. Select the ‘HCS Ubuntu’ machine and click ‘Start’:

• Media Source: Location of ISO file.

This will launch you into the Ubuntu OS install screen. Click ‘Install Ubuntu’ and configure your new operating system to your liking!

Finish setting up your developer environment with the Ubuntu-Setup instructions.