Re: public lending right

[Chris Lale]

> Levi Waldron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I think a printed and bound copy of the installation manual and
> things from Newbiedoc, with an insert containing the CDs (as many as
> possible) would make a wonderful package for libraries to lend out.
> Simple binding is very cheap at photocopy stores. (around CDN$3
> here).

Chris Lale wrote:
>> The initial response of the local (UK) FE college library was very
>> positive. I thought that I might put together a compendium of
>> downloadable free documentation on a Web site. Also some guidance
>> for putting it together, lending strategies etc.

> Osamu has a helpful list of URLs for getting started in Debian:
>
> http://people.debian.org/~osamu/newbie.html


Here are some results and ideas from my initial research:

1. Basic Debian documentation
a. The installation manual 'Installing Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 for Intel x86' is available in pdf format. 124 pages of A4 80gsm single-sided comes to 1.3cm (0.5") thick.

b. The post-install guide 'Debian Reference' is also available in pdf format. 199 pages of A4 80gsm single-sided comes to 2.1cm (0.8") thick.

c. These two together weigh in at 3.4cm (1.3"). Even with a duplex laser printer or photocopier this documentation alone would be nearly 2cm (3/4") thick.

i. Bindings with a glue-based spine would be unsuitable.

ii. Plastic tube with tangs that pass through slots in the paper might be feasible, but the spine is difficult to label.

iii. A slim ring binder (with 4 rings) might work, but librarians don't like them because pages go missing. A ring binder might make CD storage simpler though.


2. Installation-related documents
These may not be as up-to-date as the basic Debian documentation. The Debian installation manual refers to them:

cfdisk.txt
bootprompt HOWTO
linux partition HOWTO
large disk HOWTO
lilo: manual.txt
lilo mini HOWTO


3. Post-installation-related documents
There are various Newbiedoc Project articles about configuring peripherals, kernels, etc.


4. A way forward?
The Debian manuals are very comprehensive, but any particular user may find 90% of the information not relevant to them. It might be sensible to extract information relevant to a target audience and produce a slimmer more concise document. The full documentation could be provided on a Windows-readable CD.

The target audience might be Windows users with
- a single, fairly modern x86 PC not upgrading to XP, who want a dual boot machine, or
- with a second, rather older PC which will have Debian replacing the original OS.

Comments welcome.

Cheers,

Chris.
--
___ Chris Lale <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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| <_/ My PC runs Debian GNU/Linux 3.0.
\ Robust, secure and free operating system + applications.
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