[Techtalk] New to the list...new to linux

[Magni Onsoien]

Jesika:
> Thank you SO much Jenn, I was beginning to get a little worried that perhaps
> this list wasn't what I thought it was.  I'm still attempting to install
> Linux on my primary "goofing-around" machine, and once that is successful,
> I'm bound to have stupid questions, since I often get pushed aside when our
> other Linux machines develop a problem.  I'm really bad at learning from
> books/online documentation/etc.  Many things which come easily to others
> have to be spelled out to me.  I have spent many a late nite chat having
> someone patiently walk me through basics such as how to un-tar and install a
> program (couldn't find the darn file), and how to use programs like BitchX
> (...still working on that one...).  If we want to refer everyone to the
> manual, we might as well give up on making Linux a viable mainstream
> alternative.  I figure if I can figure this out, anyone can.  It's just a
> matter of how the material is presented.  Thanks again Jenn!

What you are saying, is very important: people are different and need
different ways to learn things. On the other hand, unfortunately, everybody 
can't expect to have someone hold their hand while they are trying to do 
something - not for the entire life. They HAVE to learn something, in the 
best suitable way for them.

So, a challenge to you: how should materials be presented to YOU in
order for you to understand it, besides being told exactly what to do?
(Which may work for a while, but that will a) probably be borinig in the
long run (both for you and the helper), b) you don't _learn_ from (being
able to copy TWO files is useful, but what happens when you aren't able
to extend it to being able to copy THREE files? (Of course we can say
that you have learned to copy two files, which is correct, but I won't
say you have REALLY learned something)) and c) it's very time- and
resource consuming, so it's unfortunately not possible to continue like
that if we want the entire world over to Linux :)

Then the challenge: how should materials be presented? What's wrong with
today's presentation? Is it too complicated, even when explaining the
most simple things, is the progression to big, isn't there any
progression at all? Where do you look for files, are you afraid of doing
something wrong, to break something, where do you look for documentation,
what is the logical way for you to do things?

Don't misunderstand me: I'm NOT saying you are stupid or silly, I say
you are a, probably, typical beginner - and how can we help people like
you to learn Linux? Without the beginner's own experiences it's very
hard - and unfortunately (or fortunately, if you concider that we have
gained quite a lot of experience in the meanwhile) it's often a long
time since we were beginners.


Magni :)
-- 
sash is very good for you.