Hello All!
Below are the instructions to get your system ready for your upcoming training. You will need a virtual machine (VM) to perform the lab exercises for these classes. This VM is used for all of John Strand’s “Pay What You Can” courses.
Note: Please do not run the VM on a company laptop without express permission from your IT department.
VMware Workstation
First, you will need VMWare. You can use VMware Workstation Player (free), or you can download and use the VMware Workstation Pro evaluation (the eval for Workstation Pro is free to use for a limited time).
- https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player/workstation-player-evaluation.html
- https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-pro.html
If you are using a Mac, you can use VMware Fusion:
Alternative: VirtualBox
You can use VirtualBox, but it fails about 25% of the time on either networking or USB support. USB Support is necessary for the classes and labs. If you hate yourself, use VirtualBox. Otherwise, use VMware.
We only officially support VMWare for class troubleshooting.
Do not install updates to the VM unless specifically directed to do so. Updates tend to break labs.
7-Zip
Next, you will need to download 7-Zip for your system. We use 7-Zip because it is the most consistent for decompressing large files. (Native unzipping utilities tend to choke on very large files.)
Below are some options:
- 7-ZiP: https://www.7-zip.org/download.html
- 7-Zip support for Linux: https://itsfoss.com/use-7zip-ubuntu-linux/
- 7-Zip utility for Mac: https://www.keka.io/en/
Class Virtual Machine
Next, you will need to download the class VM.
When should you download it?
NOW!
It will take some time to get it downloaded. Please start the process now…
As in, right now.
At this very moment. Unless you are on a cell network.
Then, get to a solid network connection. Home? A coffee shop parking lot? A closed motel parking lot? It does not matter. Just someplace with a solid and fast internet connection.
Extract Virtual Machine
Next, you will want to extract the .7z files to a directory on your system. The exact process will change based on your system. Usually right-clicking and extracting the files with the 7-Zip tool you chose to install will do the trick.
Import Virtual Machines
Next, we need to get the VM loaded in VMWare.
To do that, Open VMWare and then select File > Open > then navigate to where you downloaded the files.
Click Import.
You may get a consistency error. If you do, do not worry. Just select Retry or Try Again. It should work.
Passwords
The username and all passwords are just “adhd” (no quotes).
Chat During Training
Join the Antisyphon Discord server for live discussions during the training: https://discord.gg/antisyphon
Should you have any issues, feel free to ask in the private class techsupport channel on Discord.
See you soon!