[tqkxzugoaupvwqr]

Half an hour? All I can think of is: “git is a command-line program to manage source code. GitHub is a graphical user interface that builds on top of git, and adds some features like issue tracking. We installed git on our server. This is were we host our private source code. GitHub is the place where we host our open-source source code.”

[0xffff2]

Yes, half an hour is a bit more than just "git and GitHub are different things". It also includes a bit of explaining the basics of how git really works under the hood because I've found that users who don't make that distinction also don't really know what to do when something goes wrong. I try to get everyone to a point where they can resolve most common issues without resorting to mashing buttons at random in their GUI of choice.

[staybythebay]

Git is not most properly described as a command line program either. Git is a version control protocol/system for handling files across multiple locations. Github is just one of those locations

[freedomben]

> Git is not most properly described as a command line program either. Git is a version control protocol/system for handling files across multiple locations. Github is just one of those locations

You're technically correct of course, but remember your audience (important pedagogical consideration). These are new grads that think git and github are synonymous. A slightly less technically correct but grokkable explanation is probably a better stepping stone toward arriving at a more correct understanding. You're description is abstract, which is harder to grok for most people than a concrete example. If you want to be more technically correct and therefore launch into a discussion about DAGs you're also not going to teach them anything.

Note: there are always exceptions, and a good teacher adapts to the audience. I'm referring to the very general case, not the exceptional case.

[sandov]

I really hope they are new grands in something not directly involving computers, because otherwise they would have to live in a cave to not know the difference between git and Github.

[0xffff2]

This just isn't true. I really only interact with CS/CpE students/grads and I'm constantly shocked at the ability of universities to force their students to use version control without actually teaching them anything about how it works.

[freedomben]

Likewise. It's not even that unusual to have somebody using Dropbox to store all of their code, and all they know is that there is a "better system" out there.