Re: [RFC]Proposal for CBT type Linux intro (fwd)
On 13 Sep 1999, Adam Di Carlo wrote:
> Jor-el <jorel@marvin.megadodo.umb> writes:
>
> > Aarrgh! Wrong address!
>
> Argh. Late reply.
>
Thanks for the reply. I've been on the road myself, the past two
weeks and can catch up with my personal email only on weekends, so I know
how it goes...
> > I dont know if this is a common thing in the windows
world, but
> > certainly on IBM desktop machines (Win9x or OS/2), the first time a PC is
> > brought up, there is a CBT (optional) presented to the user to learn more
> > about the OS. The topics covered are navigation, and common tasks. This is
> > a proposal for the Debian/Linux equivalent. Essentially, it would present
> > the contents of the Debian Tutorial that is now being worked on.
> >
> > First things first : does anyone know of an existing app that does
> > this? If so, let me know.
>
> gnome has some stuff which works. Use of HTML or simple XML (like the
> simplified docbook) would seem to be a natural for this sort of thing.
>
Do you know the name of the program that does this? I'd like to evaluate
it and refine my ideas.
> > The basic implementation should have the following properties :
> >
> > 1. Graphical.
>
> Yes -- I would say, not bound to any display system fundamentally.
>
> > 2. Provide info on navigation (the OS), basic concepts, and common tasks.
> > Have information on how to find out about advanced tasks.
>
> Kinda like a Newbie User Guide ? I don't know if there are others
> competitors. You should work a little harded to identify exactly who
> you're intended audience is, and what their needs are. We are all
> pretty technical here, so generally, you should have a newbie you are
> working closely with when writing it (so they can read it and ask
> questions).
The intended audience is definitely a newbie who doesnt know how to spell
Linux. Your idea of collaborating with a newbie is definitely a good one.
Fortunately in my case, that is easy : I'm married to one.
>
> > 3. Capable of providing a simulated shell environment where the newbie
> > can try out commands without damaging the system. (A chroot'd shell on
> > /tmp?).
>
> Huh... yeah, you could do that. Just use the user's shell, in
> restricted shell mode of bash?
>
> > 4. Capable of being maintained easily. This probably means that it would
> > be a good thing to have it sync up with the Debian Tutorial easily.
>
> The Debian Tuturoial, according to Havoc, is now obsoleted by the
> Debian Guide. But even so, you should be able to use an HTML system
> and link around pretty deeply with the guide (which already has a
> debian pacakge). Or, low tech, just copy and paste a bunch.
>
This is good info. Thanks a bunch
Regards,
Jor-el
Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be
sorry.
-- Maek Twain, "Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar"
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