Bug#608828: installation-guide: Users need direction to the functionality they expect

["Karl O. Pinc" <kop@meme.com>]

On 01/03/2011 02:31:51 PM, Christian PERRIER wrote:
> Quoting Karl O. Pinc (kop@meme.com):
> 
> > Many users expect that their system have software that's
> > not in the stock Debian stable repos. 

> > Chapter 8, next steps,
> > should either include the content of or point users
> > toward a resource like
> > http://wiki.debian.org/DebianSoftware, which describes
> > other software resources that are supported by the Debian
> > community at large.

> > (Ideally this change would be made before the squeeze
> > release so as not to lose years of new users.)
> 
> Squeeze is about to be released, in a few weeks at best (or
> worse). So, I don't really see by which magic this would happen
> (considering that any change now to the installation guide triggers a
> need for translation updates).
> 
> I for one am all in favor of increasing the user accessibility to
> Debian, but I really can't see how what you suggest will be
> done...particularly if no patch is proposed..:-)
> 
> So, indeed, thanks in advance for the upcoming patch you will 
> propose.

My inclination is to add minimal text which contains a link
to http://wiki.debian.org/DebianSoftware.  (Which has only
an Italian translation at the moment.)

Something like:
Chapter 8. Next Steps and Where to Go From Here
...
8.3. Orienting Yourself to Debian
...
8.3.1. Debian Packaging System
... (all existing content)
-----------<snip>----------

8.3.1.1 Additional Software Available for Debian

There are official and unofficial software repositories that
are not enabled in the default Debian install.  These
contain software which many find important and
expect to have.  Information on these additional 
repositories can be found on the Debian Wiki page
"The Software Available for Debian's Stable Release"
(http://wiki.debian.org/DebianSoftware).

-----------<snip>----------

I would be happy to submit a source patch in
appropriate markup if this sounds desirable.

The advantage of referencing the wiki is that it keeps
things short and allows for dynamic changes (such
as the incorporation of backports into Debian
proper, if that can be considered dynamic.)

Of course there are also advantages to incorporating
content directly into the install guide.  If that
is desired I'd be happy to attempt to re-tool the
wiki page.

Karl <kop@meme.com>
Free Software:  "You don't pay back, you pay forward."
                 -- Robert A. Heinlein