Re: Newbie Idea

["R. G. Mayhue" <rgmayhue@usa.net>]

On Mon, 26 Apr 1999, Donovan Rebbechi wrote:
> 
> yep. Consider also that most of the arguments in favour of light versions
> have been put forth as a means of downloading ... but in the long term we
> hope that the user will be able to just get a cheap CD.

That's right, but think also of HD size. I downloaded to a machine already
running Windows 98, but in my case I needed to upgrade my HD to a bigger one
anyway (8.4 G), so I installed Linux on my old drive (3.2 G). So drive size is
no problem for me... *NOW*(-;  Now I can boot to whatever OS I want or need at
the time. Some people may not be so lucky, my point being, I always wanted to
try Linux, but never could find the room on my hard drive. And if I did, I never
knew how much room I needed or what files I did or did not need. Having a CD
did not solve this problem.

On Mon, 26 Apr 1999, Brian Wiens wrote:
>
> This still doesn't answer my other point.  I didn't know what I wanted and the package
> names are somewhat cryptic.  To be "safe", I would still install anything which was not
> obvious to me that I did _not_ need.  A newbie of my type (am I rare?) would still go
> whole hog if they had the space to spare just to be sure not to miss anything
> important.

Brian makes a good point here! Even having a CD, just being a newbie to Linux
the package names that I had to choose from during the install...well do I need
to repeat what Brian said so well. (and yes Brian, I did go whole hog. I now
had the space to spare!)
 
IMO having a "lite" or "fun" version with *good* documentation on size, and how
and what to expect before, during and after the install would be to Indy's
advantage. Weather it be a ftp download, CD or whatever. Limiting what the user
needs to choose during the install. Meaning give the user every thing needed to
be Internet ready, productive and fun. Preconfigured as much as possible without
over or under doing it. Let the user choose at later time what they want to
install, rather then in the "panic" of an install they are already confused
about. Give'em time to learn a little about Linux first, then when they are
ready we can say "Look what else you can do!" No need to give the new user the
whole cow when all they want is the milk!

Well, I didn't  have mail service since I wrote the starter of this whole thing,
but I'm glad to see so many replies back and forth. I do think that
Independence 0.2 must go on as planned. But there must be some thought on
making a smaller more "user (newbie) friendly" version for the good of all
concerned. If Linux can be made simpler, attracting more users to Linux and thus
more testimonials about Linux there can then truly be "Linux for the Masses!"

FYI. While my mail was down, I compiled and upgraded my kernel to 2.2.6,
upgraded KDE, configured my modem, ppp, mail and sound. I really have not needed
to boot to Win 98 in a day or so because if I need anything there I just access
the Win98 HD and get it! Linux can do that, Windows can't!!!

I've said enough now,
Rob Mayhue
rgmayhue@usa.net