this sounds like a great idea. it sounds like what you are talking about would be slightly different than Debian newbiedoc, but I was wondering if you had heard of it?
http://newbiedoc.sourceforge.net/ It sounds like perhaps this would make a great section at newbiedoc - something like a "tutorial on getting started" rather than the "howto" section which seems to be the rest of the website. Anyway, it might be easier to start out as a feature of another website, rather than trying to make a fullblown webpage right out. -jason [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Nelson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Debian User List" <debian-user@lists.debian.org> Sent: Friday, April 13, 2001 9:43 PM Subject: An intro to Debian website > I'm a fairly new Debian user, but I've been using various linux > distros off and on since 1995. I've found my home with Debian, but I > feel that the Debian community is lacking a web site aimed at new > users that gives an adequate introduction to debian. > > Since I've only been using Debian for about a month, I still have a > good recollection of all my first experiences with it. And I've kept > a decent log of the information I've found helpful. In particular, I > think Debian is missing a broad introduction, something that would be > read prior to the installation guide, and a "now what" guide to follow > the installation. > > Some of the things to include in the intro would be: > > - An introduction to the linux "attitude" (free speech as opposed to > free beer) > - Links to some good writing of the unix philosophy, such as: > http://tuxedo.org/~esr/writings/taoup/chapter1.html > I found writings like this very motivating, and helped motivate me to > get through frustrating problems. > - Advocacy of good books, such as O'Reilly's _Running Linux_ and the > importance of reading for learning linux (this isn't obvious to win users) > - A good run-down of the advantages of Debian over other distros > - A good explanation of why to run Debian over any other OS > > This section wouldn't be terribly long, and could be read in one > sitting. Basically, it's point would be to motivate someone to run > Debian while giving them a feel for what lies ahead. It is > important for a newbie to understand that Debian is much more than > (and has little resemblance to) a more stable and free (beer) > windows-like OS. Many newbies expect linux to be like windows, and > need to be properly informed. > > Then, they could be introduced to the Debian Installation guide to get > a Debian box up and running. This could be supplemented with a > install FAQ (where to get cd's, what modules to load for what > hardware, etc.) > > Then, they be given an introduction to using Debian. The current > guides do little to help a newbie along at this point. debian.org has > a FAQ that covers some material, but I think it would be better if the > newbie's hand was held tighter. > > They would need to be introduced to "The Debian Way"-- dpkg, apt-get, > update-alternatives, update-rc.d, make-kpkg, etc. This would be > extremely helpful for converts from other distros as well. > > Show them the debian-user list and the proper way to ask for help. > This is the best resource for all Debian users IMO. 80% of what I've > learned has come directly from reading this list. > > Help them get basic workstation functionality working-- X, netscape, > email, printing, etc. Also, a brief intro to server functionality-- > apache, exim, ssh... > > I'm sure there's other information that would be valuable, but that's > all I can think of right now. > > > Do you guys think this is something worth pursuing? A project like > this would only be successful if it had the support of the Debian > community. Does something like this already started that I'm not aware of? > > Using Debian is extremely fun, but there's too many newbies out there > that just don't "get it". This resource could be exactly what they > need. > > Comments? > > -Brian > > > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] >
