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-   -   What Would You Like to See at LQ? (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/lq-suggestions-and-feedback-7/what-would-you-like-to-see-at-lq-694268/)

jeremy 01-01-2009 11:59 AM

What Would You Like to See at LQ?
 
At LQ, we strive on member feedback. We recently rolled out a bunch of new features and have some additional refinements that we plan to roll out over the next couple of weeks. After that's done, what would you like to see us focus on? From minor new features to completely new sections, this thread is your chance to let us know what you'd like to see here at LQ. Additionally, let us know what we're doing right and where you think we can improve. All feedback and suggestions are welcome in this thread. Thanks!

--jeremy

Larry Webb 01-01-2009 12:49 PM

It seems there are a lot of real linux newbies becoming members as desktop GUI users. It appears to be the first time that they have seen or heard of linux.

I would like to see a section devoted to a tutorial that explains how to use terminal, the package manager, installation, etc, and maybe the use of some of the basic commands.

I know if you search hard, this is all covered here in the forums or some where else. I believe a lot of newbies loose patience with being told to search for every move.

I hate the thought of loosing one linux user because he stumbled coming out of the gate. Remember not all of us are ever going to become experts.

jeremy 01-01-2009 12:58 PM

We do have a tutorial section which is entirely member contributed and then edited and approved by LQ staff. The LQ Wiki would also be a great place to collaboratively build tutorials.

--jeremy

ahmed gamal 01-01-2009 03:19 PM

I hope to see some translations for other languages -> arabic , french ,.........
this will help people whose mother tongue is not english and it will increase the memmbers
and a happy new year for all

siawash 01-01-2009 03:52 PM

I second Larry's input. I have been a newbie for four years....!! Guess one of those impatient who seeks quick answers. There are a lot of us out there and if Linux is going to challenge MS in any way, we have to be accommodated somehow.

Actually, I am confident windows days are numbered as money becomes increasingly an issue.

I have found LQ patchy when it comes to experts willingness to help.

Issues with basic slack lilo issues, to usb devices not working with Audacity, to slackware package management.

Having said that, recent days I have been getting extraordinary help from some Slackware memebers for which I am very thankful.

To those who have helped and its been quite a few, please keep up the good work and a Happy New Year.!!!

billymayday 01-01-2009 05:46 PM

On the newbie front, my suggestion would be to send a detailed sign-up letter explaining what's on the site, what's expected (ie not HELP ITS URGENT topics), how to get around, etc., etc..

This would need to be a "marketing document" as opposed to a very plain text document, simply to make sure it gets their attention and is read. I haven't seen the sign-up email recently, but the one I do have is drier than the Sahara.

As I see it, newbies are the people who need the most help, and probably should be LQ's lifeblood, but have a habit of shooting themselves in the feet because they have no idea how to post. They don't get help (or get flamed), and hence don't return.

My 2c Jeremy

BM

billymayday 01-01-2009 05:51 PM

I made this post separate because I thought the post above deserved it's own space.

Two more suggestions:

1) I'd like to see the 10 letter response minimum removed, perhaps for senior members and above? I quite often have a genuine response that would be either yes or no, but end up padding it out. This seems to be quite common with a series of periods, but is annoying in any case.

2) I'd also like to reopen debate on search lengths. I tried to do a search for Fedora 10 the other day, but of course can't use 10 (let alone 9), and ended up getting loads of rubbish about FC5, etc. I also can't search for dual boot XP, dd, or many other 2 letter acronyms.

Makes my wonder - is there space or the ability to have a "recent popular searches" spot, if for no other reason than to remind members that there is a search function (and some people use it).

That's my 3rd c.

BM

yodar 01-01-2009 07:41 PM

I second the motion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Webb (Post 3393608)
It seems there are a lot of real linux newbies becoming members as desktop GUI users. It appears to be the first time that they have seen or heard of linux.

I would like to see a section devoted to a tutorial that explains how to use terminal, the package manager, installation, etc, and maybe the use of some of the basic commands.

I know if you search hard, this is all covered here in the forums or some where else. I believe a lot of newbies loose patience with being told to search for every move.

I hate the thought of loosing one linux user because he stumbled coming out of the gate. Remember not all of us are ever going to become experts.

===============

I have been to dozens of sites and fora and still am unable to restore the LOST Flash capability that was THERE with earlier UBUNTU issues and now is gone

Not one answer telling me what to do was successful because the instructions weren't designed for newbies.

I have gone from using Ubuntu daily to perhaps using it once a week because of this handicap and I am throughly disgruntled

yodar

Larry Webb 01-01-2009 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yodar (Post 3393900)
===============

I have been to dozens of sites and fora and still am unable to restore the LOST Flash capability that was THERE with earlier UBUNTU issues and now is gone

Not one answer telling me what to do was successful because the instructions weren't designed for newbies.

yodar

I could not find the thread on LQ concerning your problem with flash. You should start a new thread and post the problem with information relevant to the problem in the proper forum. That way more people will read and respond to your problem.

Newbies must also take a certain amount of responsibility and try their best to read and follow guide lines and foremost being honest about their capibilities and with reponses.

Eric B 01-01-2009 08:36 PM

Flash Problems
 
I recently installed Ubuntu 804 and now have flash problems too

I have installed from the repository all the swf items and any other flash related one too, still no success :-((

I will not give up though and as I belong to OCLUG (http://oclug.on.ca/)I will do some asking there too.
My online research tells me its not an isolated issue, something that may be to do with Adobe flash 10 i think.
Soo any ideas out there.

Thanks
Eric B


Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Webb (Post 3393915)
I could not find the thread on LQ concerning your problem with flash. You should start a new thread and post the problem with information relevant to the problem in the proper forum. That way more people will read and respond to your problem.

Newbies must also take a certain amount of responsibility and try their best to read and follow guide lines and foremost being honest about their capibilities and with reponses.


penguiniator 01-01-2009 08:36 PM

Re-org
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy (Post 3393616)
We do have a tutorial section which is entirely member contributed and then edited and approved by LQ staff. The LQ Wiki would also be a great place to collaboratively build tutorials.

--jeremy

This raises a flag. If senior members don't know about it, how are new members supposed to? The best thing to do as a start would be to re-organize the front page to make it very clear where everything is. Perhaps include a short step-by-step on using the site to find answers to their questions, which have probably been answered countless times already... unless, of course, this has already been done and I am just not seeing it. :^}

impeteperry 01-01-2009 09:49 PM

I think a lot of the problems newbies have are the programs themselves. Compare the usablity of Kubuntu 8.10 with Ubuntu 8.10.
This upgrade to the Ubuntu family made me switch from Kubuntu to Ubuntu.

I think the LQ forum does a tremendous job. Everybody is a "newbie" to a degree when confronted with a new program. I have always gotten a prompt, helpful response when I have a problem which is often.

mr incredible 01-01-2009 10:22 PM

Maybe a new organization for the tutorials? I think Multimedia, GUI and applications should be separated. Also some new tutorials. I would suspect that there are a lot of people who would be willing to switch to linux rather than upgrade their hardware if they could do what Vista lets them. For example a nas box, xbox 360 media server, tivo, and usable desktop OS all in one, or at least 3 of the 4. I realize that no distro does all of this out of the box, but a simple tutorial on how to say.. install mythtv, ushare in a way that would allow full usability. Just some thoughts.

N2fastbikes 01-01-2009 10:46 PM

This forum has a lot going for it, but it would be even better if there were step-by-step wireless networking how-tos or tutorials for the configuration of the Broadcom bcm43xx family of wifi cards on the latest popular distros (Fedora 10, Ubuntu 8.10, etc.). Also, it would be great if the tutorials covered how to setup WPA/WPA2 security, and the use of the native firmware/drivers (not ndiswrapper).

Shabakthanai 01-01-2009 11:20 PM

Changes for the List.
 
Dear Jeremy,

I felt the need to respond even though I do not have any suggestions for change. My reason is because I think you should be very careful making changes in something so fine. I am impressed every day, because every day I read the list and follow the replies.

I am a fine-artist that has never had any real financial success, however, I am respected amongst many successful fine artist. In fact my best friend John DeMarco, was selling his paintings mostly for about $500 or $600 when he first asked my opinion on his work.

I could never criticize him, because he was such a great painter. Nonetheless, one day he insisted on a critique of a commission he had completed. There wasn't much to criticize, however, he painted the hand of a child on an adult, and could not see the error. Well it stood out like a red traffic light to me, because I wasn't so focused on the work, and it solved the problem he saw but couldn't see.

One day, I saw a painting in one of it's rough stages. I offered him $600 for it, but only if he did not continue painting on it. His skill was so high, that his rough draft did not need help. He never thought this though and usually painted out the energy it created.

Nonetheless, every time he came over to my studio, he liked this painting more and more. One day, he asked me to review his work on a new painting, and wanted a suggestion when to stop. I did that; now a painting takes him a couple of days to complete, when usually it took him weeks and months. The end result is that over the last few years since this change of result, his paintings have risen in price to $20,000 to $30,000. Some of his 6 x 9 inch paintings go for hundreds and even thousands.

The reason I told this story is because in my opinion, your rough draft 'the List' is all but perfect. Any changes from here on should only be made after a lot of serious thought.

I Love this List just like it is, but that doesn't mean there cannot be improvement. I just don't know what it would be. I enjoy this comment and don't know who to give the credit, "What ain't broke, don't fix."

Steven Vollom, fine-artist retired


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