Prerequisite assessment

Diagnose what you already know before Class 1.

Complete before Class 1. This is diagnostic, not a blocker: wrong answers route you to warm-up reading.

Learn

Can you install an application on your computer and find its settings folder?
Do you know how to open a terminal (Linux/macOS) or PowerShell/CMD (Windows)?
What is a file path? Give one example from your OS.
What is Wi-Fi vs Ethernet in one sentence?
Have you ever restored a backup of anything? What made it trustworthy?
What does “port 80” mean to you today (even if fuzzy)?
Are you willing to use only authorized media sources in this course? (Yes required.)

Learn

Score	Meaning	Action
6–7 strong	Ready	Start Class 1
4–5 mixed	Ready with patience	Start Class 1; keep Class 15 early
0–3 shaky	Need warm-up	Practice terminal basics + file paths for a day, then Class 1

Learn

Create a folder, write a text file, copy it, delete the copy.
Run ipconfig (Windows) or ip addr / ifconfig (Linux/macOS) and paste the output into your notes (redact if sharing).
Explain to a friend what “backup” means without using the word “backup.”

Pass gate

Prerequisite assessment answered in workbook

Legal/safety boundaries read (`README.md`)

Methodology skimmed (`METHODOLOGY.md`)

Lab hardware path chosen (Proxmox spare host vs laptop VirtualBox)

Mastery unlock: all boxes true + Feynman complete → continue to the next class