On Thu 16 Mar 2017 at 20:08:16 (+0000), Brian wrote: > On Thu 16 Mar 2017 at 12:04:14 -0500, David Wright wrote: > > > On Thu 16 Mar 2017 at 14:05:17 (+0100), to...@tuxteam.de wrote: > > > On Thu, Mar 16, 2017 at 12:52:00PM +0000, GiaThnYgeia wrote: > > > > Brian: > > > > > > > > > Documentation dispels ignorance. Dispelling ignorance requires the > > > > > co-operation of the user. > > > > > > :-) > > > > > > > To recapitulate, the purpose of the list as I understand it is not to > > > > answer practical problems with "read the manual". It defeats the > > > > purpose. > > > > > > I think you're being a bit unfair here. Brian has surely done a bit > > > beyond saying "read the manual". He has provided leads to the relevant > > > spots in there. > > > > He showed a much better path to the important web page > > http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/i386/iso-cd/ > > He hasn't disagreed with my analysis of why people can get > > stuck on another pathway to the ISO files on that page, > > particularly the people desiring a network installation. > > There was never had any reason to disagree with the analysis. The > queries starting this subthread > > > Is it just me, or are the "unofficial" images hard to get to? > > have the answers "no" and "yes". However, the routes to the images are > varied and guessing which one a user takes to get there isn't fruitful.
The routes exist and don't need to be guessed. The reason that a particular group of users follows a route is what has to be guessed. For every selection made/link clicked etc, the user had an intention. That intention has to be guessed by the web designer/programmer etc. Few designers actually experience a stream of tyros sitting down to use their design, and give them reasons. Similarly, documentation authors must have in-depth knowledge of their subject, but also have the ability to read the mind of the ignorant reader. > > But the Installation Manual comment, particularly the rhetorical > > question, was a cheap shot IMO. Navigating these pages should be > > straightforward. Any indication that the Installation Manual > > is going to help that navigation, or should help, is laughable > > and contradicts the very raison d'être of the web. > > Note that the OP knew he might require firmware for his install. The > Manual doesn't remove the need for web page navigation to be improved > but it does give a destination for firmware images, so any port in a > storm etc. I'd use the text version for searching. Interesting; that might make the headings less influential when reading it. > Fortunately, the OP was helpfully directed to the correct netinst ISO. > Unfortunately, it is quite possible it does not contain the firmware for > what looks like the Atheros-based chipset he has. Off to backports and > firmware-atheros, then. I'd link to pages on the wiki but documentation > does not appear to be in good standing at the moment and we are told > it is not the purpose of this list to answer practical problems by > by guiding people to it. :) Cheers, David.
