Ubuntu Help Center

[Brian Vidal Castillo]

Hi there,

I want to start a new project related to the way help and support is 
given to the final users.
We know that a lot of tools and ways are available to get the right 
answer, but none of these are really out-of-the-box.

For example, the faster way to get help is from IRC channels, but it 
needs a *decent* IRC client installed, like X-Chat.
Also, Yelp depends on gecko even when webkit is faster .

The main idea is to replace completely Yelp with a unified and faster 
Help system with an integrated IRC client, a Live Support panel. It will 
support man pages, docbooks, html manuals, xml-based manuals and the new 
Mallard pages.

Also, it will give a 'tunnel' to access screencasts as 'demostrations'.

In the future it could be possible to provide a way to search trough 
mailing lists and forums as 'discussions' so users will get a way to get 
answers from existing problems, and existing solutions. Also, integrate 
this interface to provide Paid Support from Canonical (and partners) in 
the way of 'support tickets' (like in Pandela help system).

It will be written in Python with Quickly (so we give a few advertising 
here :D ) for a rapid development.

A few mockups (done in Balsamiq Mockups)
Gallery: http://picasaweb.google.com/dael99/HelpCenter?feat=directlink
Source available at my One account (ask for it).

Anyone is invited to participate (please!) and give ideas.

Cheers. Brian Vidal.