On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 01:01:25 -0700
Trent Shipley <
tshipley@deru.com> wrote:
> [This message intentionall cross posted. Installfesters and interested
> parties do not necessarily subscribe to the Devel list.]
>
> (Wherein we use the pronoun set e, er, ers, erself , and so on)
>
>
>
> After the Installfest for March 2005 I talked to one of the Installfest inner
> circle. E said that Installfest only wanted a few services.
>
<SNIP>
I agree with Trent. The main need is to be able to follow up on an install and learn from past installs. It's frustrating to keep seeing the same problem but not to have the time to write it down, research it and have a solution for next time.
My idea of the ideal install goes like this.
1. Someone arrives wanting Linux installed, doesn't know (or care) which distro.
2. We take some basic info (name, e-mail address, computer make & model, hardware inventory, partition table) and create a worksheet for the installer. Worksheet would include Contact info, list of hardware, partition table (showing hidden recovery partitions,etc.) and a place for notes.
3. Distro is decided on, discs burned, if needed, installed assigned.
4. Linux is installed. Any problems preventing an install or outstanding issues not resolved are noted on the worksheet so we can learn for future installs and follow up on the present install. Example: Mandrake Install GUI didn't display properly on this laptop forcing a restart using text installer. Or Fedora doesn't include a MP3 player (which most people want) and I didn't have time to find on the Net how to install one. Note-to-self: Write that down so I can be prepared next time!
5. If after everything we try it's clear that the install isn't going to happen, at least, be able to explain why and offer a Live-CD option. Write the problem down so we'll know in the future and maybe will catch a solution. Example: Install didn't work with chipset "X" using the latest Ubuntu CD, but I saw on the Ubuntu site that the next version (now in preview) will support that chipset. Make a note! Contacted person and ask them if they'd like to try again.
6. Installer (or maybe a second person) shows the new Linux user around the desktop. Pointing out programs that are similar to hwat they are now using under Windows (OO.org, GIMP, Konqueror, etc.)
6. Installee goes away happy. :-)
7. We folow up with an e-mail inviting them to participate in the PLUG list, asking them to return next month if there are still one or two outstanding issues.
The point here, I think, is that InstallFests need people more that sopftware. The more helpers, the more fun. Not everyone has to be a Linux Guru, there are plenty of "little" jobs that really help smooth the way.
Dennisk
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