On Wednesday 05 September 2001 08:20 am, Jostein Berntsen wrote:
Some suggestions for a FAQ:
I think the newbie end-user is interested in recipe-like instructions on how to do specific task without the why it is so explanations. Many newcomers like learning by doing and seeing that it works.
I agree
A metaphor is the new aspiring and motivated cook who's never cooked anything serious, but now really wants to try it because he likes to create something and the taste of good food. First to help him would be to show him where the food is and where the pots and pans are.
Then the next would be to give him an recipe, learn him how to read it, and then show him step-by-step the way that leads to the announced result.
A good approach
The most extreme newbie book I have seen is Easy Linux(Que) which has pictures for every task explained. I think that's a bit far, and short concise and no-frills step instructions are often the best in the beginning. For understanding a reference book list could be included.
The demo sites at Mandrake's maybe be a way to go:
http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/demos
I also believe that a site/faq/document such as this is not only useful for the newbie but also for the enduser that is not interested in learning about systems, but needs to use a pc as a tool to make the work more efficient.
I want something for that end user... who wouldn't know an RPM from a TAR if it fell on them. But I'm having a hard time getting people to keep the questions simple enough.
Organisation of such a document can be the key to success. A relevance for the user must be emphasized, and how different tasks can be handled using tools in SuSE linux.
Agreed. I envision a simple list of questions in an HTML doc where a person can read down the list of questions and when something strikes an interest, they just click on it.
Both business users and home users often have regular tasks they perform every day, like sending/reading mails, calling meetings, writing documents, making presentations, surfing for information, spreadsheet calculations, burning CDs. These are tasks that may involve several applications interacting, and should be easy to set up and use.
Hope this was helpful as input.
Very... Thanks.
Jostein
===== Original Message From bmarsh@bmarsh.com ===== A long session on the phone the other night with a friend (who is now
running
Linux with little experience) made me think of a subject that has been on my mind a long time.
A FAQ or document for total Linux newbies (but END USERS)
From some of the questions that came up, I figure a FAQ might be the best way
to handle it (in HTML format).
I would like to ask the group for input on questions to be answered and also if there is anyone who would like to colaborate on it.
Remember: This is for your grandmother, or your computer illiterate brother-in-law. Someone who knows just enough about computers to turn one on and be expected to look at menus, etc and know what a cursor is.
Typical questions:
1) How to I access a floppy disk? 2) How do I write a letter? 3) What is a 'console'? (might be needed for recovery situations or other special commands) 4) What do I do if my machine appears stuck? 5) My desktop went away. Where's my Kmail?
It would be based on KDE and the very basics of Linux. Therefore it would not be distro specific in any way if it can be avoided.
Input of questions to be answered or topics to deal with would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
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+ Bruce S. Marshall bmarsh@bmarsh.com Bellaire, MI 09/04/01 15:24
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"It was always thus; and even if 'twere not, 'twould inevitably have been always thus." - Dean Lattimer
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-- +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ + Bruce S. Marshall bmarsh@bmarsh.com Bellaire, MI 09/05/01 09:38 + +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ "If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments."