"Commonly Added Features" section in Xubuntu documentation.
 

Hi All,

Â*

Given the ongoing back and forth regarding app choices, what would people say to adding a section to Xubuntu documentation outlining common ways to add more functionality to your Xubuntu system?Â* We could ship a default system that utilizes (most of, some of, all of . . . ) the more lightweight choices, but then provide detailed instructions on how to add options that might provide the users with more features.


Â*

We could include the advantages (functionality, additional ease of use, etc.) and drawbacks (increased use of system resources, etc.) for each choice.Â* We would focus on only the items that have been under consideration through these threads.


Â*

The documentation could explain the rationale for whyÂ*certain default packages were shipped.Â* Xubuntu bloggers could highlight these additions to the documentation – and point users toward them in the documentation.


Â*

I know that part of the issue deals with maintaining the packages and how often they receive updates (not just how light/heavy, simple/complex something is), but this thought occurred to me, so I thought I'd propose it to the group as a possible way to address some of the issues.


Â*

Jim
Â*
P.S.Â* I'm not sure of the section title . . . it's just a proposal.
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"Commonly Added Features" section in Xubuntu documentation.
 

Jim Campbell wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Given the ongoing back and forth regarding app choices, what would
> people say to adding a section to Xubuntu documentation outlining
> common ways to add more functionality to your Xubuntu system? We could
> ship a default system that utilizes (most of, some of, all of . . . )
> the more lightweight choices, but then provide detailed instructions
> on how to add options that might provide the users with more features.
>
> We could include the advantages (functionality, additional ease of
> use, etc.) and drawbacks (increased use of system resources, etc.) for
> each choice. We would focus on only the items that have been under
> consideration through these threads.
>
> The documentation could explain the rationale for why certain default
> packages were shipped. Xubuntu bloggers could highlight these
> additions to the documentation – and point users toward them in the
> documentation.
>
> I know that part of the issue deals with maintaining the packages and
> how often they receive updates (not just how light/heavy,
> simple/complex something is), but this thought occurred to me, so I
> thought I'd propose it to the group as a possible way to address some
> of the issues.
>
> Jim
> P.S. I'm not sure of the section title . . . it's just a proposal.
Excellent idea

vidd

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"Commonly Added Features" section in Xubuntu documentation.
 

On Tue, 2008-02-12 at 14:43 -0500, vidd wrote:
> Jim Campbell wrote:
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> > Given the ongoing back and forth regarding app choices, what would
> > people say to adding a section to Xubuntu documentation outlining
> > common ways to add more functionality to your Xubuntu system? We could
> > ship a default system that utilizes (most of, some of, all of . . . )
> > the more lightweight choices, but then provide detailed instructions
> > on how to add options that might provide the users with more features.
> >
> > We could include the advantages (functionality, additional ease of
> > use, etc.) and drawbacks (increased use of system resources, etc.) for
> > each choice. We would focus on only the items that have been under
> > consideration through these threads.
> >
> > The documentation could explain the rationale for why certain default
> > packages were shipped. Xubuntu bloggers could highlight these
> > additions to the documentation – and point users toward them in the
> > documentation.
> >
> > I know that part of the issue deals with maintaining the packages and
> > how often they receive updates (not just how light/heavy,
> > simple/complex something is), but this thought occurred to me, so I
> > thought I'd propose it to the group as a possible way to address some
> > of the issues.
> >
> > Jim
> > P.S. I'm not sure of the section title . . . it's just a proposal.
> Excellent idea
>
> vidd
>
Going back to Ubuntu 5.10, there used to be many notes in Synaptic
Package Manager explaining pros and cons of installing different
programs. It even stated why some apps were preferred over others, what
was not being maintained, gave suggestions for some over others, etc. I
did not realize this was not still being done.

I always thought that was the greatest way to find apps that worked, but
it also allowed the user to make choices based on information available.
As an example, take a look at gpgp, where the last paragraph states:
"Note that the upstream is not very active. You may like another gnupg
frontend such as gpa or seahorse."

This, along with a note or two under the help menu, could really work.

good luck,

--
Charlie Kravetz
Linux Registered User Number 425914 [http://counter.li.org/]
Never let anyone steal your DREAM. [http://keepingdreams.com]


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"Commonly Added Features" section in Xubuntu documentation.
 

vidd kirjoitti:
> Jim Campbell wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> Given the ongoing back and forth regarding app choices, what would
>> people say to adding a section to Xubuntu documentation outlining
>> common ways to add more functionality to your Xubuntu system? We could
>> ship a default system that utilizes (most of, some of, all of . . . )
>> the more lightweight choices, but then provide detailed instructions
>> on how to add options that might provide the users with more features.
>>
>> [SNIP]
>>
>> Jim
>> P.S. I'm not sure of the section title . . . it's just a proposal.
> Excellent idea
>
> vidd
>

That is exactly what I've been thinking, but didn't have the time and/or
energy to put into words.

I'm willing to bet 95% of the people installing Xubuntu for the first
time won't be surprised if it doesn't have every single thingamajig and
doodad that it's big brother has, as long as it works well on that four
year old box Ubuntu tends to crawl on and is an efficient and modern
working (or surfing/whatever) environment for us with more capable
systems. All the extra eye candy and unnecessary (even if nice) features
for normal home/office desktop use should be easy to get but not in the
default install.

I have no problem with things with gnome in their name or favoring
usability over resource usage, but lately the purpose of Xubuntu has
become a slippery little animal. I know there's a spot for us somewhere
between the "system resources trump usability" approach of Fluxbuntu and
the "outbling other major OS choices to bring linux to the masses"
approach of Ubuntu. I'd be extatic if we strived for "a simple and
effective desktop without sacrificing aesthetical appeal and usability"
à la Xfce. And yes, simple does mean "less features" in some cases.

If we don't have every shiny little thing Ubuntu does, it's not
necessarily a problem. Neither is it a problem if the latest Xubuntu
does not run on the same piece of antique hardware that a two year old
version of the distro managed to resuscitate. Those thinking one or the
other is a major problem seem to be tearing the whole distro apart
simply because there's no clear sense of what Xubuntu would like to be.

The former camp would clearly be happier working on Ubuntu and Gnome
while the latter group might want to consider putting effort into making
Fluxbuntu a bit more user friendly. The rest of us should probably
discuss this through and come to an agreement about the goals of the distro.

- Jari


PS: Sorry about all the parentheses, I'm too tired to edit them out...

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"Commonly Added Features" section in Xubuntu documentation.
 

I love the idea of notes in synatic's description for the packages......maybe we could even do a star system (example: system resources:* * * * *).


-Brian


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