Re: Linux Library - and GNUniversity Project

[Jacqueline McNally <jacqueline@decisions-and-designs.com.au>]

Hello

I too have been thinking about how to provide further information to new 
Linux box users. Although I mostly agree with David, where I disagree is 
the idea of preparing bound paper documents.

Let me explain.

One of the hats I wear during my work day is that of technical author. I 
prepare paper and online documentation in the areas of electronics, 
software, engineering etc. That is, I stay away from accounting packages 
and procedures manuals :) Having said that, even a technically skilled 
professional appreciates being able to easily find what they want, when 
they want, and are confident that they have found the information. This may 
sound trivial to some, but most documentation that is unsuccessful is 
because these two fundamentals are not met. Accuracy is another criteria 
that I have found bothersome wrt Linux documentation. For example, the 
examples often do not accurately match what I am trying to accomplish. This 
often because the material that I have managed to source cannot allow for 
all the different distributions. I am not a new user so I can usually 
figure it out. But if a real new user is presented with an example that is 
not exactly going the way they expect, then they lose confidence in the 
documentation and the product they are trying to use.

Which leads me to maintenance. The documentation is only accurate if it is 
maintained.

Experience has also shown that no new user will read 200 pages to figure 
out something. Printing out 200 page manuals is a waste of trees and very 
quickly gathers dust.

My suggestion is that recipients of new Linux boxes from the Computerbank 
and like organsiations are encouraged to join the local Linux User's Group. 
If the LUG is a bit too geeky, then form a special interest group that 
forms part of the LUG, e.g. application specific (KDE or StarOffice), or 
getting used to the Linux environment, or connecting to the Internet.

Actually, it would be really great if all new Linux box users were able to 
connect to the Internet. We could make use of email discussion lists such 
as this one to assist new users, and also point them in the direction of 
other online resources - documentation, user groups, email discussion lists 
etc. For example, new Linux box users that use the email discussion lists 
at debian.org are assisted by very friendly and helpful people.

I agree that tutorial/noddy type documentation is useful for new users, but 
again it has to be maintained with a student and facilitator set of course 
material. If it does not already exist, an online library where 
facilitators of the material are able to feedback to the library 
maintainters would be ideal. Students and facilitators can download the 
current course material from the web. For an example of this in the Windows 
environment, see:

http://www.bellanet.org/itrain/materials.cfm

The use of the material is covered by the open content license and the 
group offers facilitators a forum for discussion and the opportunity to 
provide feedback to the library.

I would like to encourage new users to join Linux groups in their local 
community and get online so that they can participate and in the future 
contribute in the wider online community. It is not helpful to be stuck in 
the corner with a new Linux box and a manual.

All the best
Jacqueline

-
ComputerBank Australia -- http://www.computerbank.org.au/