Late last year, I first used Subversion (SVN) to download the developmental version of WordPress (the software this site runs off of). I wanted to help in some way, even if that way was small due to my lack of knowing PHP.

As the semester went on, I realized that DreamHost, my webhost, offered SVN. I used the control panel to install it on a subdomain, and then waited until I got the email that said it was finished installing. It took me a few tries to figure out how to import files into the repository, but I finally figured it out. After that, it was easy to add new files as I needed to; I was using it to store programs I was writing for my Java class.

But just as I was getting comfortable, the semester ended. With the exception of updating my local installation of WordPress (the run running on my computer), I did not have a need to subversion. But I did not forget about it. As December came to a close, and the new year began, I was trying to think of how I could incorporate SVN into my “academic toolbox”, the programs I use to get stuff done. As I was packing my things up to move back into the dorm, I finally realized how using SVN would make my life easier.

See, I use two computers while I’m at school, or at least I do now, with the addition of my desktop. In fact, if the computer science server is counted, I use three computers. I would need some easy way to move the notes that I take on my laptop to the desktop, and whatever work I started on the desktop I would be able to work on while “on the move”. Subversion would accomplish this. In addition being able to commit changes on one machine and updating the other, it also provides me with an offsite backup in case something were to happen with my local copies. And I’m not limited to just doing this to programs; almost any file can be commited to the repository. Although I only have one SVN repository set up right now (for my Java 2 class), I will eventually create one for each class that I need/want one for.

Do I think that Subversion could be able to be used as an actual classroom tool (i.e by the professor as well as the students)? Yes, but it would take some getting used to, and some extra care would have to be taken with permissions. This is the way I picture it:

• There would be a folder that only the professor or whoever is teaching the class has permission to commit (upload) stuff to. This could be used for class notes, handouts, etc.
• Each student would have a folder that they could commit stuff to; this would be how they would hand things in to be graded/checked. The professor would also be able to commit to this folder (comments to assignments, etc.).
• A folder for each group (if groups are used for something): used for group assignments and projects. I’m not entirely sure how Subversion would handle certain formats though, such as PowerPoint presentations.

Do I think that some professors here at Quinnipiac could incorporate SVN into their classes? Yes, I really do. I could see some of the programming classes using this (of course, Subversion was intended for programmers, so this is a no brainer), but I could also see research based classes (such as the criminal justice major thesis that is a required course for all seniors). In the case of that class, it would also be useful when you wanted to see previous versions of the document, as you could revert to earlier revisions. This would also save paper since the professor would also be able to revert to previous versions, and you wouldn’t need to hand in paper copies of them.