Re: New to Linux
On Saturday 16 April 2011 19:05:09 Jude DaShiell wrote:
> Actually, if a new user reads the contents of debian-reference before
> doing much else with Debian they'll solve that problem. The problem
> behind that is that debian-reference doesn't install by default on
> systems. A question like "Are you new to Linux (y/n)? in the install
> script might not only install that package by default but also configure
> boot up sequence such that once all was finished booting the user would
> land inside the debian-reference application. I can't really predict
> what amount of pain would be reduced by such steps so am not
> recommending them unless testing gets done with a significant sample
> size of users new to Linux first. If follow up study shows these users
> progress faster on their learning curves, then I'd recommend making
> these modifications. The bsd system has a learn utility that teaches
> several topics once set up correctly using computer-assisted instruction
> and if that were ever successfully ported to Linux (maybe some on this
> list remember using it), that might also be a good utility to use to get
> more knowledge in areas where debian-reference is missing or goes
> lightly through. I know I certainly got lots from it back in late '80's
> and it's command line too.
>
> On Sat, 16 Apr 2011, shawn wilson wrote:
> > On Apr 16, 2011 11:18 AM, <foldingstock@theowned.org> wrote:
> > > > Like I said, "A Lot has changed in 12 years". Debian is more
> > > > friendly today than yesterday as are most distros, but there are
> > > > others that are friendlier, a lot friendlier.
> > > >
> > > > So, I stand by my initial statement that Debian is not suitable for
> > > > the Linux firsttimer. I would never recommend it to a noobie. With
> > > > Debian, you need to know, at least somewhat, what you're doing.
> > > >
> > > > B
> > >
> > > I think if someone is capable of reading and comprehending the
> > > excellent documentation available, there should be no problem using
> > > Debian. This is how many people have learned.
> >
> > The debian documentation is among the best (along with gentoo and
> > FreeBSD). That said, when I want to get something done this isn't the
> > first place I look - I google and what I find there. I don't suppose I
> > could consider myself 'new' anymore and it did take me a year to figure
> > out how to find things on the net.
> >
> > I think that any distro that doesn't do quirky things is good for
> > beginners (ie, sles having aliases and definitions for everything is just
> > stupid). If a distro keeps its etc pretty standard, puts things in the
> > right place in the directory tree, and has a good user base, it should be
> > good to learn on. (the first and second reason are why I hate mandrake)
> >
> > There is also the issue of how you use linux. If you want a free OS that
> > just works, you can install debian or ubuntu (or maybe fedora - idk) and
> > most things should pretty much work. You can use this environment and
> > that's great. However I don't think you really learn linux like this.
> >
> > Otoh, you can run mac or windows and just access linux through putty or
> > terminal.app and get tons of experience.
> >
> > In the end, I suppose it just depends what you want to get out of it.
What is wrong with doing a default install and then using this list for
problems?
Lisi
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