[TriLUG] Promotions for Installfests

[al johson]

Other topics which cause newbie Linux users heartburn??

I can name quite a few:
1. Modem installations. My son (magna cum laude at Princeton in computer
science!!) who can do just about anything in Linux did not know how to
install a modem in his dad's Linux machine. And it was an ISA modem that was
not a Winmodem!! Eventually it got installed but not until after a lot of
reading, heartburn and online advice. Even though I've done it sucessfully
once, I don't think I could do it again.
2. Installing software and the constant problem with dependencies. The
biggest problem I see with a novice installing Linux is after getting the
system up and running how do you install the OTHER programs especially when
those other programs need software which aren't on your system because
neither Red Hat nor Mandrake remembered to include them!! Where do you go to
get that software and where do you put it on the system. (Also a topic not
usually covered in the manuals--probably because they don't want to point
out that needed programs were not included in your distribution--Grip
needing Lame instantly comes to mind :-) And even if you do find out where
the software you need is online, when you get there, you face the problem of
WHICH file do you download??
3. Installing your DVD drive so it will play DVD's. The software is now
available and Decss is not needed now.
4. Installing and especially using disk-burning software to create CD-R's
and CD-RW's.
5. Give me some time and I'll think of some others. In other words, the
little things which the makers of your distribution forgot to include in the
initial installation.
----- Original Message -----
From: Henryk M.Kowalski <kowalski at easternrad.com>
To: <trilug at trilug.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2002 4:51 PM
Subject: Re: [TriLUG] Promotions for Installfests


> On Wednesday 15 May 2002 03:48 pm, you wrote:
>
> >
> > So how do we get all this started? ;)
> >
> > Lisa B.
>
> I would start one small step at a time [Duh... ;) ], by first collecting a
> list of 'obstacles' that we ran into (are still running into) as newbies
> trying to get Linux to run (like we want) on our computers,
>
> or even before that:
>
> how to choose a distro,
> why try Linux in the first place?,
> what kind of things do you want to do
> - using a computer: first,
> - can you do it using Linux: second
>
> I'm not talking rocket science here, just bread and butter stuff.
> If you keep track of 'Linux annoyances' as you go it will be a great place
to
> start.
>
> I'll be glad to help you compile some of this stuff to get started.
> Then, we can try our hand at writing up some answers from the newbie
> perspective,
> Then we can get input from the veteran users correcting our technical
errors,
> then we'll need to get support from the SC to get some web site space to
put
> it up,
>
> then...  :)
>
> So:  Does anyone have any (other) suggestions for topics?
>
> Thanks,
> --hmk
> _______________________________________________
> TriLUG mailing list
>     http://www.trilug.org/mailman/listinfo/trilug
> TriLUG Organizational FAQ:
>     http://www.trilug.org/~lovelace/faq/TriLUG-faq.html