I took this class back around 2010. Kind of random seeing it on HN. This is a good introduction to getting around a Linux (or any Unix-y) system. As far as I can remember, this was considered an "easy" class for most CS students but relatively important to teach practical industry fundamentals.

It was also somewhat important (but not at all required) since 300/400-level classes used a lot of Linux-based lab machines and this taught you how to get around if you weren't comfortable with them. Before that, most work was done [when I was there] in cross-platform IDEs and just paper/pencil (proofs, maths, and such), so I remember this coming a bit later for that reason.

It also used to be called 303, which made a bit more sense when I was there in the context of being an early 300-level class to get you primed for the later ones. UW CSE went through a big renumbering and restructuring the year I graduated so I don't fully know how it fits in anymore.

Since I took it, it looks like they've added Git and removed a C, gdb, and Make which is a bit sad, but probably more practical...

I'm sure a lot more changed. Fun to see this pop up, though!