I read your post. I can help if you still need it. I was a COBOL programmer in the 1980s. I now have a Ph.D in CS, and teach primarily on Windows/Mac environments, but have also taught in an ubuntu environment, so could re-add a Linux VM to my laptop. Our semester ends in 2 weeks (3 if you count final exams), so I will have more time then.
All the best,
Lynn Lambert