Thanks again to all who commented. I am more than happy to ask questions. My concern was / still is to a certain extent that Newbies are very 'resource hungry' and typing (for me at least) results in a transfer / assimulation of information at leat twenty times slower than I could have achieved verbally or visually. If there are other true Newbies out there and they , like me start to ask a multitude of questions all at the same time then this post will no doubt suffer from 'overload' or worse still a 'them and us' mentality. Any mechanism put in place to alleviate this peak in demand on CLUG's resources would IMHO be a good thing to have.
With respect to the suggestions for the re-introduction of trouble-shooting nights I believe that these would be a good idea... However they were not quite what I had in mind for Newbies and pose significant headaches for organisers given the variations in user ability / sytem configuration / distros. To me the Installfest was the perfect platform to have started the introduction / education of Linux Newbies in a systematic / controlable manner. The event could have (and I believe did) set up Newbies with a new operating system, correctly configured computer (to enable swapping of existing Windows files) and at least a connection to the internet. From this equal footing (everyone would have installed SuSE ) I would have expected of a CLUG meeting at least some time spent in the weeks following a 'BYO intro course' where a teacher(s) goes through the very basic tasks such as: Where things are? How to set up Kontact / Kmail. How to transfer personal information across from windows. How to install and run a new program a) With YaST b) Downloading a tarball / rpm. How to install / mount new hardware (printer)/ drives. Simple shell commands Connecting to another computer - The DSE 802.11b discussion recently and wi-fi networking with a wok antennae looked like a great fun and highly educational project...Does anyone work in one of the high-rise office buildings in town?? If there is the worry of someone using starting with a different distro have two or more distro specialists on hand...but try to stick with one for the 'training' if at all possible. Video the on-screen demonstration to allow Newbies to go over at their leisure the new concepts / procedures....and allow other Newbies arriving between installfests to get a head start. Just some thoughts....it seems a shame to have such a comprehensive group skill set and not to use it in a more evangelical / passionate manner. You can knock Bill Gates' operating stystems for a lot of things but he did at least put the computer into the 'reach' of the average user! (no feedback required on this last point...please)...so who will carry the flag for Linux in this part of the world? Ralph ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ralph Stoker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 4:33 PM Subject: What is CLUG? > I've been reading up heavily from the recommended readings posted previously > (many thanks) but still feel woefully inadequate in actually getting any > hands-on experience (and making progress) with my SuSe Linux. I've had very > limited success in attempting to emulate some of the exercises shown in the > literature..and there is a limit to how long I am prepared to spend > constantly hitting my head against a never ending brick wall...the wall will > eventually break...but will I be conscious enough to know that I am through? > > Being new to CLUG events / posts I still don't have a grasp on what CLUG's > 'remit' is in respect to introducing newbies to Linux: > > Is it's main function to bounce 'How to info..' > Is it just a group of highly skilled techies, for techies...talking techie > stuff? > Does it desire to grow financially / physically through the introduction of > new members? > Has a structured introduction program ever been considered? > Is Google the answer to everything? > > The reason for asking such questions is that as a Newbie I have needs that > are significantly different to those of 'established' CLUG members. I do not > wish to enflame or harrass the existing CLUG membership...yet I do wish to > develop my Linux skill set. In reviewing a number of posts I have to > question whether or not CLUG is the correct medium for me to achieve my > desired goal... > > Comments?.... > > Regards > Ralph > > > Would have liked to attend tonight but unfortunately I've been roped into a > Korfball Referee's course for the next two Thursday nights. > >
