[Bradford] Idea's for brief introductory talks for new / non technical users

[Philip Wyett]

On Fri, 2008-10-24 at 16:03 +0100, Wayne Hanley wrote:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
> 

<snip>

> I know several people that are interested in attending our local LUG
> meetings but are worried that they are not of a significant level of
> technical ability to be able to join in discussions.  I think
> this is a miss representation of what the LUG is supposed to be. 
> In the descriptions I've come across the phrase "self help" is used
> which I think is dead on.  I don't think people should be worried
> about coming along because of fear that is they do as a question they
> will be ridiculed for asking / needing help.  That seems to be
> the first hurdle that I've come across in trying to get more people
> involved with us.
> 

As Linux users, developers and advocates we strive for new users and
must expect for questions to be asked more than once and often. We
should embrace and guide the user and be mindful that we all started
somewhere and help when we can catering to a persons current level.

> Second is what actually goes on at the meetings, and how they could
> get involved.  I was talking recently about version control in
> and how I use it for not only coding but also keeping revisions of
> other files, now he as never come across version control in a
> professional context let alone using it to keep revisions of personal
> information.  He suggested that it might be a good way to get
> more people interested if those of use that use things like that that
> other people might be interested in could do some small talks or
> demonstrations at the meetings to help people get started.  I
> quite liked the idea of it I'm sure as a group we already all have a
> fair few usability solutions that other people in the group and
> external to the group would find interesting / useful.  
> 
> A couple of idea's of what kind of thing the people I have been
> speaking to are interested in finding out more about with their Linux
> systems
> 
> *Version control

Version control can be a bit of a nightmare if someone teaches but
strays. On this subject, I would give an overview of what it is and give
a hands on example session with a modern system such as bazaar.

N.B. I would never go near CVS for newbies here and leave it until
someone was comfortable and started asking if they came across it.

> *Backing up

Even bigger mine field than version control. Everybody and their mate
seems to have a back up solution. A common consensus should be reached
on the solution to be used would need to be discussed.

> *Office replacement software

Open Office is the swiss army knife and the basics are easy to
teach. :-)

Advanced techniques are another story and would need to be treated with
care and on an individual basis.

> *Syncing mobile devices

Very device specific and software is ropey at best. I would steer clear
of general tutorials and go with one on one help with this one.

> *Cross platform compatibility (sharing thumb drives and such I think
> is what he as asking about)

Not exactly a subject as it goes. In discussion and tutorials it would
be a matter of 'If you are sharing with Windows users'. As an example of
thumb drives.

If for you setting up for Linux, ext3 (or other) file system.
If sharing to Windows, fat16 or fat32 file system.

> *Data organisation (Photos, Music, Search indexing of documents etc)
> 

This is a personal thing and can be often about how organised you are as
a person. :-)

> As anyone else had conversations like this?  How can we get in
> other people and make them feel included in the community and not have
> them feel like they don't have valid opinions and idea's to offer?
> 
> Cheers
> Wayne

Getting interest in Linux can often be technical but often not and you
can promote 'Day to Day' usage which is the only thing a lot think and
care about.

* The OS and how to get around and admin (simple level)

...

* Web browsing (facebook and myspace pfft ;-))
* Email (recieve, send and print)
* Messaging (instant and softphone)
* Office work (write, calculate, present or print)
* Arty (create, edit and print)
* Audio and Video (play and edit)

The more technical comes later when users/members and interest in more
increases. The group could have more technical sessions but an idea to
have a traffic light system for sessions maybe an idea. Green is for the
new, Amber is for the comfortable and Red is for the gurus.

Regards

Phil

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 189 bytes
Desc: This is a digitally signed message part
Url : http://mailman.lug.org.uk/pipermail/bradford/attachments/20081024/f77fecf0/attachment.pgp