[Ubuntu-us-ok] Fwd: ideas for the OK LOCO

[Billie Walsh]

James Stansell wrote:
> An excellent idea Billie!  I asked on #ubuntu-us for thoughts but
> didn't hear anything back.  Maybe just too much excitement about the
> case badges. :)  I'll try to ask there again.
> 
> I'm not sure what might already be included on the live CD but there's
> a fair number of online resources already.  For future reference:
> 
> http://help.ubuntu.com/
> http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=73 (Absolute Beginner Talk)
> http://doc.gwos.org/ (Ubuntu Document Storage Facility)
> http://ubuntuguide.org/ (Unofficial Starter Guide)
> http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/ (Ubuntu Linux Resources)
> http://elibrary.fultus.com/ubuntu/ Ubuntu Linux Documentation Library
> (full and searchable 7.04 collection)
> 
> Other ideas besides a pamplet might be (brief) information on the CD
> label if we printed our own labels, or even a CD jacket, similar to
> the shipit printed jackets.
> 
> In fact once we're officially recognized we'll be eligible for "large"
> orders from shipit.  Even before then if we have suggestions for
> improving the jackets or anything else then I say let's send 'em in.
> 
> Of course the more we can provide personal support and advice, the better.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> -james.

I'm not a computer "newby", but I'm not really a guru either. My first
home computer was a TI 99/4A, then a CoCo [ still have both and they
still work ]. My first "pc" was an old 8088 Leading Edge. So I've been
around a while.

I remember my very first experience with Linux a few years ago. I
managed to download and burn the CD just fine [ luckily Nero knew what
to do with an ISO, cause I sure didn't ]. I was scared to death when I
booted from the CD. Don't get me wrong, I'm not afraid to "break" my
computer. I know I can always recover one way or another [ fdisk,
format, re-install as a last resort ]. I had no clue what was going on
with the install so I just clicked "Next" on everything. Once, to my
great relief, it was up and running I didn't know what to do with it.
There were a million and one questions with no idea how to get the
answers. Possibly a less determined person would have given up at that
time. "Hey, it looks pretty but.........."

I just think a persons first experience could be a LOT easier if they
had some basic information going in. Things like what to expect during
the install process. That it's "ok" to just pop it in and click "Next"
to everything. It won't screw up their computer. Probably the best
possible thing would be to have someone knowledgeable standing over
their shoulder holding their hand, but that's not very realistic.

Remember, first impressions are everything. If they get a bad first
impression...............


-- 
Billie Walsh
The three best words in the English Language:
"I LOVE YOU"
Pass them on!