Linux Desktop Guide

codergeek42 writes "The International Open-Source Network has created a desktop manual aimed at end-users with little or no prior knowledge of PCs. This manual goes through using The Fedora Project to do things from file-management to using the internet (as in browsing the WWW and using email), how to use the OpenOffice.org office suite, and even a basic intro to using the shell. This is definitely a step in the right direction for GNU/Linux, and the Free Software and Open-Source Software movements. And the cool part is that the entire thing is under an attributions-required OSI-approved Creative Common license, and is available in .sxw (OpenOffice.org Writer) or PDF formats."

Comments

Good step.

[keiferb]

This kind of stuff is a great step in the right direction, but lots of people in the target demographic would still prefer a dead-tree version. I'd really like to see a couple of those big, glossy, step-by-step picture books put out for Linux. There's a bunch for Win/Mac already, so I'm sure it'll just be a matter of time.

Admirable

[Chuck Bucket]

This is an admirable effort, however why Fedora for a beginner's distro? The problem I see is that Fedora is just getting it's feet wet and entire reinstalls are needed to update from core 1 -> 2. This harks back to my days with Red Hat 5 and Mdk 6. Without trying to start a flamewar, I really think a Debian based system with Synaptic setup for updating is the best solution. Lastly, I don't know if a beginner's guide should include the commandline, that will likely scare some off. Let them get completely comfy in the GUI, then let them start exploring off the path.

Still, efforts like this NEED to be undertaken, if it's one thing OSS projects often lack is documentation.

CV*)($#B

Re:Uh... Fedora?

[Matt Perry]

I have a serious question then. What's a good, easy to use Linux distribution for first time computer users that also will have security updates for many (3+) years to come? I know there are a lot of different Linux distros out there but few of them state how long they'll be supported before an upgrade is needed. I use Debian for my computer needs but I wouldn't consider it to be an easy to use and administer system for someone who's new to computers. It definitely requires some experience to set up. Fedora is nice but between Red Hat's support and Fedora Legacy, updates will only last about a year and a half to two years before one has to upgrade.

Any recommendations?

Re:Uh... Fedora?

[LnxAddct]

What forced upgrades? I still run FC1 on a machine, its the msot stable OS i've ever used, well its on par with Debian Stable. I have FC2 on my laptop. Both Fedora machines run perfect and there has never been a forced upgrade. Up2date is like windows update, except it updates everything on your system, instead of what MS wants updated. And you get to pick and choose. Nothing is ever forced on you, ever. I personally use apt because my roots in linux are in debian, and I use debian daily, but for an end user, you just cant beat Fedora. Suse is nice but I have my issues with it. Mandrake is the only other non-MS OS I'd recommend to a typical user. People keep saying that Fedora is bleeding edge, and it is if you want it to be, but it can also move at a slower pace if you'd like and every Core so far has been extreemly stable. Saying Fedora is bleeding edge is like saying Debian is bleeding edge, its up to you if you wanna run stable, testing or unstable, and Fedora defaults to stable, and everythign is extensively tested at RH. Also, dealing with RH developers is such a nice experience as compared to dealing with the typical arogant Debain dev.(Not all Debian devs are that way, but more then I'd like)I don't see the problem here.
Regards,
Steve