FW: Python Tutorial 2.0

[Gregory Leblanc <GLeblanc cu-portland edu>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: David B. Harris [mailto:dbarclay10@yahoo.ca]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2000 9:34 AM
> To: Gregory Leblanc
> Subject: RE: Python Tutorial 2.0
> 
> 
> On Tue, 13 Jun 2000 08:37:10 -0700, you wrote:
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: battery841@mypad.com [mailto:battery841@mypad.com]
> > > Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2000 5:15 AM
> > > To: gnome-doc-list@gnome.org
> > > Subject: Python Tutorial 2.0
> > > 
> > > Hey guys,
> > > 	I was just thinking about how a lot of people say that 
> > > Linux is so hard.  Yeah, it's harder than MacOS...we're 
> > > trying to change that.
> > > 	So I was thinking about how we have these tutorials 
> > > which we're starting to think about for GNOME 2.0.  I realize 
> > > that these are GNOME apps which we're supporting, and by 
> > > doing more, that's going to take much more manpower(woman 
> > > power for Telsa and other females on the list ;).  I propose 
> > > that we take the time to create some of those same tutorials 
> > > for some tasks in Linux.  For example, setting up 
> > > PPP/DSL/Cable.  That would include steps on how to configure 
> > > your model/ethernet card, setting up DNS information, etc.  I 
> > > know this is going to take a lot more work in the end, but I 
> > > feel that it will bridge a large gap.
> > > 	Yes, I even thought about documentation fragmentation 
> > > (ooo...that's kinda fun to say...try saying it).  I think if 
> > > we can make this in a format which KDE can use their own 
> > > front-end, and the same information as the backend as we do, 
> > > that will keep there from being 2 copies of the same information.
> > > 	I realize that the LDP exists...and I do respect and 
> > > enjoy reading the LDP.  We're not here to replace them.  We 
> > > serve to two different groups here.  We're trying to make 
> > > grandma be able to setup her information.  The LDP serves 
> > > more towards us, the geek.  Grandma doesn't know about the 
> > > root DNS servers...nor should she (why would she for setting 
> > > up internet?  I don't know...but you get my point).
> > 
> > Actually, this is a topic for the LDP, and not for GNOME.  
> If you wanted to
> > create some HOWTOs on using GNOME PPP (or whatever those 
> are, I don't
> > believe in modems anymore), then this is a good place to do 
> it.  If you want
> > to document how to do this on Linux, write it for the LDP.  
> The LDP is
> > documentation for Linux, for EVERYBODY.  We're in some 
> fairly major growing
> > pains right now, in trying to find a good compromise 
> between the traditional
> > geeks writing everything, and now some specialized geeks 
> writing some things
> > for newbies.  Anyway, if you want to document Linux, come 
> over to the LDP,
> > if you want to document GNOME, keep it right here.
> > 	Greg
> 
> I've been a lurker for a while on this list, but I think I 
> have something to say about this. I've been using 
> Linux/GNOME/CLI for a while, but when I came in, I had been 
> fairly spoilt by windows. It took me a while to get 
> everything up and running. People talk about "Easy to use 
> GUIs". That's not even half the equation for an easy-to-use 
> computer. To get my PPP connection set up, I read 83(yes, 
> *83*) full-sized sheets of print out. All the HOWTOs that the 
> PPP-HOWTO suggested, plus a bit extra. I needed that 
> information. Other than a good, intuitive GUI, good 
> documentation is the key to an easy-to-use system, whether 
> you're a hacker, a user, or a dabbler. And when I say "good 
> documentation", it's a very subjective term. Quite frankly, 
> the LDP has an incredible amount of documentation, but it was 
> bordering on useless for me when I first read it. It was not 
> "good" documentation. It was, however, very complete and 
> mostly accurate. The goodness of documentation is directly related t!
> o the skill of the reader. For somebody who is a complete 
> computer neophyte, a step-by-step explanation on how to set 
> up PPP is required. Tell them what editor to open, and how. 
> Tell them what keys to press and what text to enter. For 
> someone more advanced, explain things a bit more so that when 
> a problem crops up, at least they'll understand it and be 
> able to explain it. For those of us who have a good 
> understand of computers in general, but not very much 
> linux-specific info, the LDP's HOWTOs are the way to go. If I 
> recall correctly, the LDP accepts submissions. If the GDP 
> wishes to take upon itself the task of creating a new set of 
> HOWTOs(Simple-HOWTOs) to help the new user, there's no reason 
> why those documents can't be donated to the LDP, as well. 
> Make sure they're in a compatible format, though. :)
> 
> Thank you very much, and have a good day.
> 
> Dave
> 'Round the firewall,
> Out the modem,
> Past the server,
> Through the router,
> Down the wire,
> NOTHING BUT NET.
>