On Saturday 16 April 2011 19:05:09 Jude DaShiell wrote: > Actually, if a new user reads the contents of debian-reference before > doing much else with Debian they'll solve that problem. The problem > behind that is that debian-reference doesn't install by default on > systems. A question like "Are you new to Linux (y/n)? in the install > script might not only install that package by default but also configure > boot up sequence such that once all was finished booting the user would > land inside the debian-reference application. I can't really predict > what amount of pain would be reduced by such steps so am not > recommending them unless testing gets done with a significant sample > size of users new to Linux first. If follow up study shows these users > progress faster on their learning curves, then I'd recommend making > these modifications. The bsd system has a learn utility that teaches > several topics once set up correctly using computer-assisted instruction > and if that were ever successfully ported to Linux (maybe some on this > list remember using it), that might also be a good utility to use to get > more knowledge in areas where debian-reference is missing or goes > lightly through. I know I certainly got lots from it back in late '80's > and it's command line too. > > On Sat, 16 Apr 2011, shawn wilson wrote: > > On Apr 16, 2011 11:18 AM, <foldingst...@theowned.org> wrote: > > > > Like I said, "A Lot has changed in 12 years". Debian is more > > > > friendly today than yesterday as are most distros, but there are > > > > others that are friendlier, a lot friendlier. > > > > > > > > So, I stand by my initial statement that Debian is not suitable for > > > > the Linux firsttimer. I would never recommend it to a noobie. With > > > > Debian, you need to know, at least somewhat, what you're doing. > > > > > > > > B > > > > > > I think if someone is capable of reading and comprehending the > > > excellent documentation available, there should be no problem using > > > Debian. This is how many people have learned. > > > > The debian documentation is among the best (along with gentoo and > > FreeBSD). That said, when I want to get something done this isn't the > > first place I look - I google and what I find there. I don't suppose I > > could consider myself 'new' anymore and it did take me a year to figure > > out how to find things on the net. > > > > I think that any distro that doesn't do quirky things is good for > > beginners (ie, sles having aliases and definitions for everything is just > > stupid). If a distro keeps its etc pretty standard, puts things in the > > right place in the directory tree, and has a good user base, it should be > > good to learn on. (the first and second reason are why I hate mandrake) > > > > There is also the issue of how you use linux. If you want a free OS that > > just works, you can install debian or ubuntu (or maybe fedora - idk) and > > most things should pretty much work. You can use this environment and > > that's great. However I don't think you really learn linux like this. > > > > Otoh, you can run mac or windows and just access linux through putty or > > terminal.app and get tons of experience. > > > > In the end, I suppose it just depends what you want to get out of it.
What is wrong with doing a default install and then using this list for problems? Lisi -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/201104161911.02295.lisi.re...@gmail.com
