On Mon, Jun 13, 2011 at 5:38 AM, Marcus D. Leech <mleech@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Yup, "man" pages aren't very friendly for newbs. But they aren't really > intended for that audience. > They're intended as handy reference documents, rather than tutorials. > Some of them are better > written than others. Unfortunately, not all software developers are > also skilled technical writers. > Sad fact. In a well-funded corporate effort, there'd be tech writers > working alongside the developers. > The fact is that more competent software developers are "drawn" to the > open-source world than > tech writers. A lot of information on how to do things in linux actually comes from lists exactly like this one! There is a need for some simple startup tips for the new user, and to a large extent a new user will likely have had his/her system installed by someone else who knows how to do the install, rather than converting from Windows themselves (though it does happen of course) - and remember that the vast majority of Windows users never did or ever will do an install themselves - they buy a laptop or desktop, and hit the power button - and it all comes to life. If a Linux geek installs a system, be it F14, F15, or any other, on behalf of an existing Windows user, and then gives the new Fedora system to the user they will largely be able to work with it with only a little help initially - they may need help with configuring a mail client, but that would be the same for Windows users too. Many people would be happy with a web browser, a music player, and a picture viewer, plus printer - after that many programs for a typical user get much less "use time". I think that in that instance an average Windows user confronted with a new linux system, and shown how to login would be off and running quite quickly - the problem arises when "something" does not work - and in the case of Windows that is also where the user gets very stuck and often then either calls in an expert, or tries to fix it him/her-self - often producing a broken system that needs an expert calling in also! Much the same for inexperienced linux users too! I have installed linux for friends and relatives, and remain the "expert" helping hand for when things go wrong. For a Windows system there is always the fallback to take the machine down to the local PCworld or similar where technicians will try to fix the machine or re-install the system - that commercial route is not usually available to linux noobs. However there are wiki pages for linux, as well as the Fedora lists and similar and are a superb and valuable resource, and also some very excellent help written on dedicated web pages (such as the kde web pages) - and although we often grumble when something is broken in linux, and specifically Fedora, we are actually in a very fortunate position that we have bugzilla to which not only other users respond, but also developers - it may take time but usually there is a solution in the end - and we always have to remember that we are riding the cutting edge! Quite often linux experts provide wonderful levels of direct help and advice on Fedora lists and similar. Show me rapid responses to Windows bugs? Where and how do Windows problems get fixed with an interactive dialogue with the reporter? It doesn't! So despite the Fedora issues with systemd, and gnome3, currently - these are being worked on - and although it may take a release cycle to fix some of the issues we are actually still the best in the business, so let's not forget our real position. -- mike c -- users mailing list users@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://admin.fedoraproject.org/mailman/listinfo/users Guidelines: http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Mailing_list_guidelines
