[clug] MtM - content update

[Chris Smart]

On Thursday 15 March 2007 13:55, Alex Satrapa wrote:
> At this point in time, the only distribution I'd recommend to someone
> who wanted to "try out this Linux thing" is Ubuntu. Hand them a CD,
> and spend an hour with them as they boot up their computer and take
> those first terrifying steps away from the comfortable rut that is
> Microsoft Windows. Welcome to a brave new world where you don't have
> Them telling you what you can do with your computer!
Hey Alex, thanks for your comments.
I don't think it is wise to single out a single distribution for people to 
try. Why not Fedora? Why not Suse? Why not Mandriva? Why only Ubuntu? One of 
the great things about Linux is the variety, and all of these ditros work 
very differently, so I think we should offer them all the the end user to see 
which one they prefer. I'm toying with the idea of putting Debian and Gentoo 
in, as Debian is the largest linux distro and Gentoo would appeal to a 
particular audience and I think they should be aware of its existence.

> Open up your timesheet (a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet) in Openoffice.
> Does it work? If not, Linux probably isn't for you. Open up your
> office Fax template (a Microsoft Word document). Does it work? If
> not, Linux probably isn't for you.
Or you re-design your spreadsheet and fax template in a new open format ;)

> Perhaps Make the Move could have a "switching to Linux walkthrough"
> much like the above, except without the psychological comfort of the
> experienced friend sitting beside you.
I like this idea. It might make for a good section replacement for See it in 
action, as I just don't have the time to maintain the gallery and make videos 
etc. Cheers.

> Oh... and the layout of the site implies some non-linearity or
> *random access* if you will. There is no visual indication that the
> chapters are intended to be read in sequence. Thus having some
> chapters refer to concepts defined in other chapters - on the
> assumption that the visitor has read the previous chapters - is going
> to cause confusion.
Well the introduction says it "is designed to flow from the 'What is FOSS?' 
section" and if you go to that section it has a next, back and home links at 
the top and bottom of each page. Perhaps not the most intuitive, but it 
shouldn't be too confusing. I.e:
Home | What is Linux? ->

Still I tried to make it so you could go to any section directly, but 
obviously if a new user skips straight to 'get started' they won't undertand 
some of the terminology, though it has been explained in the previous 
sections.

Got any ideas on how to make it flow better? Maybe I need icons on the front 
page to show flow? I did think of this, but it looked ugly..

Cheers,
Chris