Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 12:50:51 +1200 From: "Dan Langille" <junkmale@xtra.co.nz> To: freebsd-advocacy@FreeBSD.ORG Cc: Darren Pilgrim <dpilgrim@uswest.net> Subject: Re: The FreeBSD Installation Guide Project [Was: Re: FreeBSD Adovcacy] Message-ID: <19990404005224.CUBP5707006.mta2-rme@wocker> In-Reply-To: <199904032225.PAA13716@usr04.primenet.com> References: <19990403191536.G2142@lemis.com> from "Greg Lehey" at Apr 3, 99 07:15:36 pm
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On 3 Apr 99, at 22:25, Terry Lambert wrote: > I think relative newness is a job requirement for what he proposes > to do. One of the biggest obstacles I had when starting in with FreeBSD was not knowing anything about unix. For example, when having trouble with my file system, someone asked me what was in fstab. I had no idea now to see what was in there. They had to tell me about cat. As a newcomer, I believe it's vitally important for people to have practical examples of how to do something. The man pages are really only useful if you already know what you are doing. That's part of the reason why I write my webpages. Granted, there are selfish motives [mostly so I can remember what I did and how]. But given the number of people using my site and the references made to it by other people, stuff like that is useful. This post isn't a self-promotion exercise. It's an attempt to blatently point out that more is needed. And that's what IGP is all about. I think it's vital that it be written for newbies by newbies. FWIW, I classify myself as a newbie. I think it was Greg that said: > > Consider what happens if you do it your own way, rather than putting it > > in the handbook: we'll end up with two different installation guides > > (well, three if you include mine, but that one costs money :-), one > > undoubtedly better than the other, with contradictions in them which > > will just confuse people. What's wrong with more than one guide? Should I abandon my website now? Your book is great. I use it. But not everyone can get it. The handbook is great. Not everyone uses it. I refer to it all the time from my documents. Contradictions can be fixed. They are not an unsurmountable barrior. I think we are all agreed that something more is needed. The only decision now is how. Darren, do not waver. Your stuff is needed. I'll help you any way I can. Whether you choose to go the handbook or whatever, IGP still needed. The best witness to that fact is the number of request we get on undernet #freebsd for help with installs. more power to you. -- Dan Langille The FreeBSD Diary http://www.FreeBSDDiary.com/freebsd To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-advocacy" in the body of the message
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