Bravo! Couldn't have said it better myself! I seem to have the same experience...several years experience with computers, and a little programming, and a technical background in communications. Unfortunately, Linux is not my full time job. Documentation geared towards the novice user would be of great help.
Jeff, a novice Debian Linux User -----Original Message----- From: Bert Conliffe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: debian-user@lists.debian.org <debian-user@lists.debian.org> Date: Wednesday, May 13, 1998 04:15 Subject: A Cry For Help > Date: 5/12/98 > Subject: The Debian Starter System > > Background: For the past few months I've been reading on all fronts > about the superiority of Linux over the incoming Windows '98 and the > Windows NT systems. Having used MSDOS and the windows systems for > quite a few years; and not being overly impressed with making Bill > Gates a trillionare, I decided to start out with the Basic Debian > system. > > Experience: I have been around computers for a few years, and I > have some experience on various pcs and with IBM and Burroughs main > frames. Therefore, I thought that I had enough background to try > Debian Linux. > > History: The download from Sunsite went well, and I got the > required files. Made diskettes from these files, installed them > on a seperate hard disk, and brought up Debian Linux. For someone > with no Linux experience, it was tedious, but not impossible. > > Now that I have the basic Debian installed what do I do? > > Having seen and read about "How To's" at various linux sites; well, > I figured this is the place to get basic information, and structure > to start off on Debian. After a couple weeks on checking various > sites (first off Debian's); I found Guido Gonzato's excellent, > Configuration - How To. At last, I can get started on configuring > and learning to use Debian Linux! > > Now frustration sets in. Guido's document does not refer to the > Debian system's structure. I am at a lost to relate to where to > find the files on my Debian system. I try seaching directories > for help, again leading to more frustration. Debian is not user > friendly, it is "novice frutrating", is there a special reason for > this? > > The "plain vanilla Debian Linux" offers nothing for the "novice" > linux user. Would it have been too much to expect: > > 1. A document telling the "novice" what to do next. > 2. A set of instructions on how to configure the system. > 3. The simple basics required to administrate Debian. > 4. Having manuals operational so that, one would have some > type of reference. > 5. Just plain old "guidance". > > If I am a novice who is just being oriented, dselect at this time > is a bit too much. What do I know about the requirements for package > installation. Even if I did download a package, how could I be sure > if I should have selected MSDOS or i386 items? After all I am > coming from a MSDOS sytem. That I should download packages.gz or > contents.gz. Please help me to walk (configure the system I just > installed), before you start " clocking " me for a 3:50 mile > (updating a system I can even configure, or access its reference > material). > > Why couldn't the system be distributed with the documentation and > resources to implement LILO as the boot manager for dualbooting > MSDOG (as guru(s) fondly refer to the Bill Gates software). > > Hey, I'm a "dummy", please treat me like one. I'm not writing > " C " programs at Berkley, MIT or Dusseldorf; I'm a beginner, > trying to get started. Please recognize that we're in a state > that requires " debian linux nurturing ". We want to learn to > use Debian, please help us, don't push us away. (Speaking for > other novices who fail to communicate their plight). > > Yes, I've read about "O'reilly" books and all that stuff. But, > in this world, there are no Amazons or Barnes and Nobles on > every street corner. In Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Nigeria we > have a bit of a problem locating B&N and Amazon. If you give > us enough guidance to start with, we can play "catch up" later > on. The " first step " starts the journey. > > Now, I know that Debian is a "freebie" organization and it depends > on volunteers. But, if you groom your "novices" properly, you may > just have your own " farm system " of volunteers down the road. > > If you showed me how, I would even be willing to help you setup > what I stated in 1. thru 5. I don't even know your system, but, > I am willing to help. > > > Another Call for help!!! > Bert Conliffe -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
