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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Grant Sewell wrote: > On Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:55:44 +0000 > Simon Robert wrote: > >> this is the problem. even the poster will be confusing. a use linux >> poster pretty much amounts to a "Use a PC" poster, because one someone >> asks "OK I'll try linux" you'll have to go off on a "do you want to >> use Redhat, Kubuntu, Mint, Ubuntu, Slackware" converstion by which >> time your questioner will have given up and gone home. >> >> OK. Ubuntu is not the only distro, but it is easy to use, easy to >> install and easy to demo. If you manage to get someone to use it that >> is the time to explain there are other distros. That is the time to >> get into the ideological angels dancing on home made CDs. > > Or... and this is just a suggestion here... > > USER: Yeah, I'll give Linux a try. > LUG Member: Ok, since this is your first Linux adventure, I'd recommend > Ubuntu. There are others around, and you're welcome to > give them a go, but for now I'd recommend Ubuntu to start > with. > USER: OK, cool. > >> Keep it simple! Here is an easy to use, install OS that will do >> everything you need and it is free! Questions about why is it free and >> so on will follow. Once people are using linux they may, or may not >> (my mother and next door neighbour (happy users of ubuntu and kubuntu >> respectively) show a marked reluctance to hear me explain about other >> distros they might like - "no Simon, what you installed works great is >> there any pressing reason why I need to switch again?". Once they have >> software installed that does all the stuff they need they're not even >> interested in looking at alternative apps (unlike you and me whole >> download anything to take a look at it). >> >> For most people OS's and apps are as enthralling as makes of >> dishwashers. This is what needs to be remembered when trying to "flog" >> linux. "Here is a cheaper slicker free dishwasher" - great! "I can >> offer you a choice of 15 free dishwashers, some have copyright >> components, some don't". "Some of them will be trickier to use than >> your current one, but you'll catch on fast..." - don't think so. >> >> Simon > > I agree. No need to overwhelm the user in the initial stages, but > equally this is not an Ubuntu User Group, so giving people 1 option is > not really acceptable. *Recommending* a specific option and hinting at > the fact that there are others could well work though. > > Grant. > I agree, I like ubuntu, but before that I used debian, before that I used suse, redhat and slackware. I tried caldera it failed to let me log in :( I think what ever distro we put people on we need to make sure that the new user has a text file with Distro name and version kernel version versions of various libraries perhaps list of hardware that we as a lug member can compile for them or I am sure its possible to get all this info from a shell script (any ideas) which can be run, and it dumps said info in to a file. that way if they ever need help they can copy / paste the info from that file in to an e-mail or something, so the person helping can have an idea of where to start. it also helps you as you can keep a record on who has what installed, so if you get called to help they haev a kind of personal file with the info in. We need to help new users to help us to help them. A lot of people using windows will say they are using windows, hardly helpful when that is usually XP , vista or Windows 7. Paul -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAktvCicACgkQaggq1k2FJq2bDwCfWFerFPrSV9qz1ty1ts9Hxgso pK0AoIcb+IwnP3JJC/hnwDk5j3sPQ6N+ =prVb -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html