New to Linux Users

majiq · 2009-08-02 03:13:44

Do we have any resource for people who are new to Linux entirely? We say things like 'stat the file' or 'uncomment the line in the configuration file' and if you've never dealt with scripting or had any training in any languages, that can seem cryptic.

If not, I'm conflicted about whether we should have a wiki page or a forum thread for Linux Newbies and not just Arch Newbies, because Arch really isn't easy to use as a first distro in many ways because of the maintenance and command line knowledge and comfortability. I kind of feel like Arch is the third or fourth level difficulty of the game of Linux (and LFS is the final stage), so it makes more sense to push Linux Newbies to a more comfortable distro for incoming users. Just a thought.

rson451 · 2009-08-02 03:22:07

I'm of the opinion that if someone comes across something about linux they don't understand, they need to search for it. We don't need to be the ones to tell them how to do things as there are plenty of linux resources out there. If there are Arch specific issues, the beginners guide and other related wiki pages should suffice.

xd-0 · 2009-08-02 05:21:52

Arch is for users who knows what they want in a distro. I'm not trying to be cold about the fact that many users find their way to Arch Linux whitout any knowledge in editing files, or how to use the command line in any greater extent.
But we need to be somewhat selective to whom we help. I think, as a rule, we should help those that are willing to learn, and at least spend some time reading the wiki or searching the web (and forums) before they ask questions. The rest should be pointed to some other distro like Ubuntu.

AdrenalineJunky · 2009-08-02 06:12:14

i pretty much agree with the above statements, if someone cant figure out what the begginners guide is telling them to do, arch linux is not a good distro for them.

stefan1975 · 2009-08-02 07:40:42

xd-0 wrote:

But we need to be somewhat selective to whom we help. I think, as a rule, we should help those that are willing to learn, and at least spend some time reading the wiki or searching the web (and forums) before they ask questions.

why be selective in choosing whom to help? if there are people genuinly willing to use arch and learn, learn the Arch way i think those should be assisted as well. Of course the same questions should not be answered a kazillion times an referring people to the wiki might be a valid response to many, but in that case the OP's idea might actually be a good idea.

What is there against a wiki page helping users that have difficulty understanding certain basic things. We were all n00bs one day and everybody has to learn somewhere, so why not here? Arch really isn't that more difficult then your average linux distro besides using the CLI a lot more and for people willing to learn it might actually be a good place to start instead of being pampered with OpenSuSe's GUI tools for example. I don't think there is anything to be gained in having an elitist mind set saying that If you are not a 'vi' guru Arch is not for you.

If not, I'm conflicted about whether we should have a wiki page

good idea, why don't you make one yourself (which is also the Arch way)

stefan

tomk · 2009-08-02 09:06:30

Please search the forum - this topic has been covered exhaustively many times. The official word is

Arch Linux is an independently developed i686/x86-64 community distribution, based on a rolling-release model and targeted at competent GNU/Linux users

and Arch itself reflects that precisely. What the community does is up to them - and that includes creating any and all wiki pages that anybody thinks is a good idea, helping or not helping other users, etc.

bernarcher · 2009-08-02 10:47:21

This is a twofold issue. First, Arch certainly is targeted at the competent user and the wiki should by no means try to target less.

Secondly, however, we should try to help anybody in the forums, provided of course she/he is willing to put all necessary effort on their own in it. In my opinion, there is never a dumb question to remain unanswered. Alt least try to point the asker (explicitely as needed) in the right direction.

It can happen to anybody to forget some triviality. (At least this happens to me over and over again, with more than a dozen years of Unix/Linux background).

But, after all, we do this already all the time, don't we?

Mr.Elendig · 2009-08-02 13:26:34

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/FAQ … se_Arch.3F

Edit:

Anyway, I think a page or 3 on the wiki dedicated to new GNU/Linux users is a good idea. majiq, you just voluntaired to start it. Good luck, we are all counting on you!

Last edited by Mr.Elendig (2009-08-02 13:31:46)

.:B:. · 2009-08-02 13:31:30

tomk wrote:

Please search the forum - this topic has been covered exhaustively many times.

Hey! I'm supposed to say this

makimaki · 2009-08-02 13:44:22

majiq wrote:

Do we have any resource for people who are new to Linux entirely? We say things like 'stat the file' or 'uncomment the line in the configuration file' and if you've never dealt with scripting or had any training in any languages, that can seem cryptic.
If not, I'm conflicted about whether we should have a wiki page or a forum thread for Linux Newbies and not just Arch Newbies, because Arch really isn't easy to use as a first distro in many ways because of the maintenance and command line knowledge and comfortability. I kind of feel like Arch is the third or fourth level difficulty of the game of Linux (and LFS is the final stage), so it makes more sense to push Linux Newbies to a more comfortable distro for incoming users. Just a thought.

Dusty wrote a good article about Arch, and how to approach it/contribute to it, in the Nov 08 newsletter http://www.archlinux.org/static/newslet … l#original.

tomk · 2009-08-02 15:47:15

IMO entry-level Linux information doesn't belong in the Arch wiki - there are countless established resources out there that already handle it. I'd also say that no matter how much or how little you put in this Extreme Noob wiki page, people will still come to the forum, and/or IRC, and/or the MLs, asking simple questions that can be answered with 5 seconds googling.

BabyDoc · 2009-08-03 08:59:54

You can find more than enough linux information using google. The people that ask here instead of search themself won't bother reading such a wiki page either. It's a nice idea, but I don't think many people will make use of it.

majiq · 2009-08-03 13:43:58

Yeah, like the stickies in the Newbie Corner. Okay, no Wiki page(s).

Confuseling · 2009-08-03 21:17:54

You could, as a compromise, have a 'Linux resources for beginners' page, which links to many of the best general descriptions / walkthroughs etc., rather than trying to duplicate them. I suppose the risk is it might become a dumping ground, but if it were kept on a fairly tight leash...

Arch Linux

#1 2009-08-02 03:13:44

New to Linux Users

#2 2009-08-02 03:22:07

Re: New to Linux Users

#3 2009-08-02 05:21:52

Re: New to Linux Users

#4 2009-08-02 06:12:14

Re: New to Linux Users

#5 2009-08-02 07:40:42

Re: New to Linux Users

#6 2009-08-02 09:06:30

Re: New to Linux Users

#7 2009-08-02 10:47:21

Re: New to Linux Users

#8 2009-08-02 13:26:34

Re: New to Linux Users

#9 2009-08-02 13:31:30

Re: New to Linux Users

#10 2009-08-02 13:44:22

Re: New to Linux Users

#11 2009-08-02 15:47:15

Re: New to Linux Users

#12 2009-08-03 08:59:54

Re: New to Linux Users

#13 2009-08-03 13:43:58

Re: New to Linux Users

#14 2009-08-03 21:17:54

Re: New to Linux Users

Board footer