New on kubuntu

[Billie Erin Walsh]

Lindsay Mathieson wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:28:56 -0500, Billie Erin Walsh <bilwalsh at swbell.net>
> wrote:
>
>   
>> Well, your right about never having "worked" at a help desk. However, I 
>> have talked many people through much more difficult computer tasks that 
>> how to install packages in Synaptic over the telephone. If your using 
>> the same software and doing it click for click right with them they can 
>> usually get it pretty quick. 
>>     
>
>
> But when you're talking via a time delayed medium such as email or forums
> its much easier to give command line instructions.
>
>   

There is one much loved member of this forum that was given CLI 
instructions. Look where that lead. IMHO, he would have been much better 
off if not given instructions on how to do something in the terminal. [ 
In some cases it's kind of like handing a child a nail and hammer. They 
wind up hitting their thumb. ] Synaptic is generally smart enough to 
keep someone from getting into some of the mess's he manages. That 
little black square in the middle of the screen is a _VERY_ powerful 
tool. It should be used by novices with extreme caution.

It's easier for some of the "gurus" [ I _DO_ respect all you guys for 
your knowledge and skill ] on the list to just spout out command lines 
without thinking of the weapon they are handing the end user.

Most of the people that need the type of help the OP asked for are used 
to doing _everything_ in a GUI [ windows ]. They will generally have a 
basic understanding of how that type of thing works [ ie. menu 
structures, etc ]. Instructions given in a language they _understand_ 
will be much easier for them than just commands they don't understand in 
a situation they don't understand [ arcane commands in a black box ].

One of the biggest fears most of the Windows users I talk to about Linux 
is that you have to use that command line stuff to do anything. Well, at 
one time that was how it _had_ to be done. But, modern Linux systems can 
be used without ever touching the CLI for what most average home users 
want to do [ case in point - ME ]. When they try to make a move to Linux 
the first thing they get hit with is the CLI commands and they run like 
rabbits. Now, if you don't want people migrating to Linux that's a good 
way to get rid of them.

>   
>> Treat all stressful situations like a dog does.
>> If you can't eat it or play with it, 
>> just pee on it and walk away
>>     
>
>
> I so love this, however my keyboard would get pretty stinky.
>
>   

I told my mom once that if I didn't have computers to drive me crazy I 
would have had to take up golf.

-- 
Treat all stressful situations like a dog does.
If you can't eat it or play with it, 
just pee on it and walk away