Suggestion for well written online introduction to linux to new user [Archive]

Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : Suggestion for well written online introduction to linux to new user

eskiled

10-18-2005, 10:08 PM

As most of you, who frequent #justlinux, know I recently was asked by a family friend to reinstall Windows XP. I told then I would be glad to, but upon discussing details I informed them that linux would be wonderful for his purposes, and would not cost him $100 in licensing. He was very pleased and agreed that I should install linux. I have just completed the install on his box (Ubuntu Hoary 5.04) and would like not to leave him with no idea of what/how to use Linux.
I would like someone to recommend an online introduction to the Linux OS that I could give him a link to. That way he's not totally in the dark. If possible I would like to keep it less technical, get away from "how to mount your hard drives" etc, but rather things like "linux is different from windows, for instance it uses X11, which is..., and ..." I think you know what I mean, so suggestions :) ?

thanks
eskiled (aka ben|text, ben|gnome, ben|xfce4, ben|flux, ben__, ben____, and benhelper)

Gertrude

10-18-2005, 10:40 PM

I would say your best bet would be to sit down with him for an hour or two and answer any questions he has. You can't really predict how he will pick up on things, and what will hold him back till he starts using it. My guess is that giving him links on installing software, how to do updates, the filesystem layout etc will just discourage someone who wants to USE the computer. not necessarily learn about it.

blackbelt_jones

10-19-2005, 12:26 AM

Here's (http://justlinux.com/) a site that may be helpful! :)

bburton

10-19-2005, 12:33 AM

eskaypey

10-19-2005, 02:09 AM

While i agree that you have to talk to him and get some feedback, so you know what concerns him. Still, heres a link that shows that Linux != (not) Windows - great resource for the people that starting in Linux community. I really enjoyed reading it.

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

Hayl

10-19-2005, 10:17 AM

It is probably more useful to direct him to a Gnome introduction since he will likely not bother to or need to know anything else except possibly how to use Synaptic which I think would take maybe 5 minutes to explain. If he is just using it as a desktop system, then a Gnome primer will sufffice as he will likely not get into the "guts", which imho is overkill for at least 90% of computer users as they honestly don't care how it works, just that it does work and how to perform the various common tasks.

eskiled

10-19-2005, 03:55 PM

I also agree that his Linux learning should start with a Question and Answer session with someone who really knows Linux (you). Get him oriented, then, if he wishes to continue down the Linux road, buy him a book. I'm a fan of O'Reilly books, and you can get Learning Debian GNU/Linux (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1565927052/qid=1129695772/sr=8-3/ref=pd_bbs_3/102-8836954-1439356?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) on Amazon for $5.00 (used). After he has a strong base, teach him how to use Google4Linux and point him to the JustLinux forums.

I don't recommend just giving him a web address and saying "Good Luck!" He is sure to have a bad experience, and then will probably dump Linux, which at the very least, means you have to reinstall XP for him :)

I think a sitdown is a great idea, however there is one significant problem. I don't really know Linux very well. Yes I can do everything I can on Windows on Linux, and I know the basic commands, but if you asked me something even slightly indepth, like "What is a Window Manager?" I do know what a Window Manager is but I could certainly *not* explain its function to someone else. If you aseked me a more indepth question I wouldn't be able to answer it either.

Stupid Boy

10-20-2005, 05:07 PM

He doesn't need to know anything about what a window manager is anyway. As long as the system works, he only has to be able to use Firefox, Evolution (unless he uses webmail), Gaim, OpenOffice, BMP, etc., all of which are very similar to the Windoze equivalents. I think the main problem will be learning the names.

Two recommendations:
1. Rename shortcuts according to their functions: "Firefox" changes to "Web Browser," "Beep Media Player" changes to "Music Player"
2. If he's really technically challenged, rename shortcuts to their Windoze equivalents: "Firefox" changes to "Internet Explorer," "Beep Media Player" changes to "Winamp." This is obviously a last resort.

mmills

10-20-2005, 05:40 PM

not that JL wont be helpfull to the guy learning how to function his computer,
but take into the thought that it may be good for him to take a look at the
ubuntu forum, now since ubuntu has done there 6 month jump he is going to
run into issues, I personally would have installed something more time stable
like debian, or another user friendly distro that doesnt cut half there support
6 months down the line :eek: even suse is a great starting point for a someone
learning a different desktop enviornment, they keep updating there product....
If it were me I would have started him out with KDE, becuse it works alot like MS
taskbar. for an online introduction, take him straight to the distro site support and forum if they have one, this way he doent get confused about differeces of distro techniques. since the guide for ubuntu is down (5.04) You might consider upgrading his ver, in the next couple of weeks aswell, wait a couple of weeks, lets bugs out first.

ok, you can open fire guys....."shield is up" :D

bburton

10-20-2005, 06:12 PM

I think a sitdown is a great idea, however there is one significant problem. I don't really know Linux very well. Yes I can do everything I can on Windows on Linux, and I know the basic commands, but if you asked me something even slightly indepth, like "What is a Window Manager?" I do know what a Window Manager is but I could certainly *not* explain its function to someone else. If you aseked me a more indepth question I wouldn't be able to answer it either.

If you know how to do everything in Linux (specifically Ubuntu) that you can do in Windows, then I think you should be fine. If he asks a question that you don't know the answer to, look it up on the internet or in a book, together, with him. It will show him how to find answers. I doubt he's going to ask incredibly in-depth questions right from the get-go anyways. They typically are more like:

How do I set up my printer?
How do I send e-mail?
How can I change the wallpaper?
and of course... how can I make it work more like windows? :-)

You just have to dive in!

The only thing I would be cautious about is if he needs/uses something that is only available for windows (e.g. a computer game or a windows-only piece of hardware).

PS: Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org) is another superb place to find answers. It even has a page on Window Managers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_manager).