This post was published 3 years 6 months 7 days ago and as such probably does not reflect my current opinions, knowledge or ability.I just got back from a fortnightly meeting with Abertay Linux Society. It’s a pretty casual event – some weeks people give talks on Linux related (and unrelated) topics or we discuss the promotion of Linux to other users, this week we sat in the bar to talk about Software Freedom Day. There are are wide variety of members too, from experienced developers and veteran users to students wanting help with their first install.
I consider myself pretty lucky to be in an area with an active group where I can talk to other Linux users face to face. However, even before I came to Dundee I was far from alone – I contacted people through forums, IRC and mailing lists. Not only can I get technical help but it’s good just to chat about new technologies, share resources and links and continue to learn about the OS. When I have a problem or need advice, I’m never alone. There is always a range of people willing to offer suggestions and advice.
If you’ve been a part of the Open Source community for a while this probably all seems obvious, a natural part of your every day life. But for an average Windows user, an operating system is simply something you run. It’s not something worth talking to your friends about. It’s not a topic you would join a forum to discuss. Of course there are groups of evangelists and developers but for someone who simply uses the Windows operating system for day-to-day tasks becoming part of community about it seems unlikely.
So perhaps when we introduce people to Linux, it’s something we need to actually point out. Encourage our neighbour who now has Fedora on their laptop to join LinuxChix. Point out forums and message boards to our newly converted parents. Not only will it mean less tech-support calls for us, but becoming part of a community will help inexperienced users stick with Linux, and share it with others. It’s one of the most talked about benefits of Open Source – let’s not leave anyone out.
I installed Ubuntu onto my Dad’s machine a while back and he recently got a new laptop that I took him through how to resize Vista and install Ubuntu (over the phone)
Almost every time I get a phonecall from him about Ubuntu I always say things like “The first thing to come up on google is…” I realise that it may not be the first thing everyone thinks of, especially if there’s help on the end of the phone. Then again maybe even more so if there isn’t. Panic sets in? My point is that he is now realising the vast community and the huge amount of information that is collected in the ubuntu forums alone.
Whereas I agree wholeheartedly that people need to be informed and introduced to this whole new world that is a community of sharing knowledge, that it won’t happen straight away.
Maybe we could do more to encourage it though. Even a google search can be pretty intimidating for someone who normally does not have to solve technical problems themselves, but if they were introduced to a local group of Linux users, they would have others to turn to for support first.
This isn’t all about geeks not wanting to receive so many phone calls asking for help, it’s more about ensuring people know how to help themselves.
As a user of Ubuntu over the last six months I am only just now really attempting to understand exactly what this “Linux” actually is. I am not terrifically knowledgeable about computers – perhaps just enough to fix most annoying problems in a reasonable time – but I do not consider myself an idiot with this system. And yet, during my random Google searches, intimidation does set in. After reading about some basic command line tips, learning how to move from folder to folder and investigate the contents, I seem to have reached a wall: where do I go next? What books or sites do I read to understand the basics of such a system. There are sites all around, to be sure, but the whole cloud of Linux knowledge still can be foggy to the unaccustomed, such as myself.
That said, I can certainly see how a local Linux community can be a great entry point. When I return to school from summer break, I should keep an eye out for the crowd that may know how the intestines of this infernal penguin I am keeping operates. Thanks for the post.
I remember when I first started with Linux, I was on a work placement and someone there gave me a couple of Mandrake 9.1 CDs. I installed them and had a quick play, then left it. I hardly touched it. I had no idea what to do with it either.
When I decided that I had got fed up of Windows enough I booted Mandrake again and took a proper look, I then ended up going to Florida on a family holiday. I purchased a copy of The Linux Pocket Guide and sad as this may sound, I read it cover to cover (I’m not a big pool/beach guy so I had lots of time with little to do)
I’m not saying that this book is better than a community but I’m sure that it went a long way in preparing me for a lot of the more in depth answers that I found to my problems. Now, some 4 years on I prefer to use the command line for almost everything when I’m fiddling.
Good luck and have fun
Hi HyperialGuard,
I’m planning to follow on from this post with a guide to help newer Linux users get involved in the community later today.
Even if there is no-one near you who wants to meet up regularly, there might be a local mailing list or user group. If not there are plenty of forums online which would be happy to welcome new members. They’ll be able to give you more personal advice on books you might find useful, websites and podcasts you might enjoy. If you haven’t already listened through the Linux Reality podcasts you should check them out – they start off at the very basics of using a Linux system and work from there but there are always a few points in each one that you might not have known otherwise.
@Nistur, thanks for the recommendation.
Oh, just in addition to Hazel’s comment, if you don’t have a local mailing list or user group, ask nicely to join another one. Our Scottish based LUG mailing list has lots subscribed from all over the world. Just sign up to one, lurk for a bit and then introduce yourself to them. In general no-one will mind as long as you’re polite and actually interested in learning answers.
Computer Science at Uni is great for teaching such things. However as a more of a graphical person these days than a coder I get the you must use Mac (OS), thing is more grahpical/web/young people listen to such things and actually take it up whereas fewer ‘John/Jane Public’ will take up a linux platform with the same coaxing.
That’s true, and I’m not saying being part of the community will help find new users necessarily, but I think once they’ve made some Linux using friends they’re more likely to stay with the new OS and try to solve any problems they might have with it.
Thanks Nistur and Hazel for the recommendations. I’ll check them out!
Glad we could be of assistance
[...] my previous post I wrote about how, despite the fact geeks are known for hiding away on their own, Linux and Open [...]
I think it’s disappointing that my university doesn’t have a Linux user’s group. There’s A Computer Science Student’s Association, but you’re technically “in” that if you take a single comp sci class.
Perhaps it’s something to look at starting.
The Linux user group is great because it is open to members of the public too, so there a lot of really experienced users there. It’s good to talk to people through a mailing list or forum, but you definitely miss out on something from not talking face to face.
It would be really cool if you wanted to create a group. The linux society at my university only began the year I started (although there was a mailing list for the area long beforehand). If you’re interested, you could join our mailing list and talk to Finux, the society leader and guy who did masses of work in setting everything up in the first place, I’m sure he’d have some advice.