[ubuntu-uk] Help for newcomers

[Alan Pope]

On Sat, Oct 07, 2006 at 09:36:24AM +0100, Bill wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I'm struggling with Ubuntu and Kubuntu and have encountered different insoluble (to me) problems in both.  I hope to stay with a Linux system, I'm on XP at present, but am very discouraged.
> 
> Is there anybody out there in Ubuntu-UK, who lives near Windsor and might be able and willing to help me?
> 

I think you'll find most people will be willing to help you via email / web
/ irc because this means they can stay cosy in their social cage - or can
reply to you whilst sat in the "office" dressed in only a pair of pants..

..just me eh? Oh ok.

Asking people to come and visit you often raises alarm bells in peoples
heads for a number of reasons. First is "oh crap, I might be there for
hours, but I can walk away from my PC". Another reason might be that people
expect to get paid for home visits or "Consulting" as some call it :).
Firing off a few replies on a mailing list is a lot more convenient than
getting in a car/train/plane/brompton and coming over to your gaff. I'm
sorry if that sounds at all harsh but it's reality unfortunately.

It's a lot easier as others have suggested to get help at a LUG meet because
you can take your machine along and get access to multiple brain cells
rather than just the one or two of the person who comes to your house..

..unless you want to setup a LUG in Windsor, and if you do, that would be
fantastic, give us (lug.org.uk) a visit and we'll set you (or anyone else)
up some web space and a mailing list :) 

(I'm kinda kidding but the above paragraph is true).

If SCLUG don't have a meeting that's convenient you can usually turn up to
any other LUG in the area.

<pimp>Hampshire Linux User Group meets in Aldershot every other month (and
in Southampton every *other* month) where there's a load of very helpful
people. We had a meet today where lots of great discussions happened, help
was given by many and some chocolate fingers were consumed (mostly by
me)</pimp> 

The other option is to use the Ubuntu Support system where you can post
questions and get replies from people in the community.

https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+tickets

Cheers,
Al.