Re: An intro to Debian website
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
jason@pepas.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Nelson" <nelson@bignachos.com>
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
>
>
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