discuss: Request for feedback: Windows-to-Linux HOWTO outline
Subject:
Re: [discuss] Request for feedback: Windows-to-Linux HOWTO outline
From:
####@####.####
Date:
5 Dec 2005 10:00:21 -0000
Message-Id: <46487.213.148.250.3.1133776792.squirrel@213.148.250.3>
I totally agree. The table of contents below looks much more like it comes
from a book than from a HOWTO! I'd be happy to review-as-you-write, so
that this revamped guide can go online as soon as possible.
Regards,
Bas
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> Hello Omari,
>
> I can see that a lot of thought has gone into this. And since you have so
> many topics to discuss, you might want to think about the Guide format
> instead of using the HOWTO format. Templates for guides (books, really)
> can be found here:
>
> http://www.tldp.org/LDP/LDP-Author-Guide/html/templates-book.html
>
> As you go along, I'd like to see more or less regular posts of your
> progress. Do you have some web space where you can put the document
> on-line? That way, we can help you to review and comment on it as you
> work. If we do it in small bits and pieces while the document is in
> progress, this might significantly shorten review time lateron.
>
> Tille.
>
> - --
> Machtelt Garrels ####@####.####
> Review Coordinator http://www.tldp.org/authors/
>
> My Penguin, my freedom. http://tille.xalasys.com
>
>
> On Thu, 1 Dec 2005, Omari Norman wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>> I shall be updating the From DOS/Windows to Linux HOWTO. It's been
>> five years since it was updated, and a lot has changed since then, so
>> I've been developing an outline for the update.
>>
>> The target audience for the document consists of home Windows users
>> who wish to switch to Linux. It will speak to moderately experienced
>> Windows users--those who have a few years experience with Windows and
>> who know a fair amount about how Windows works. This is for a few
>> reasons: 1) that's the situation I was in a few months ago, 2)
>> probably most people switching to Linux are at least moderately
>> experienced, and 3) teaching moderately experienced Windows users is
>> the hardest, because they know how to do most things in Windows and
>> may think Linux is inferior simply because they do not know how to
>> accomplish certain things in Linux.
>>
>> Most of the updated HOWTO will discuss things that are already
>> documented at TLDP and elsewhere. In keeping with the modular nature
>> of free software, I will refer readers to those other resources as
>> much as possible. What's missing that I hope to add is a specific
>> Windows-to-Linux focus--for example, explicitly explaining to Windows
>> users that the process for installing new software in Linux is
>> extremely different from doing so in Windows. (I think this specific
>> point frustrates many new users and at first it was a big turnoff for
>> me.)
>>
>> I've developed an outline that's as complete as I can think to make
>> it. I'd enjoy some feedback as to organization and any key topics I
>> may have missed.
>>
>> Thanks.
>> Omari
>>
>> Introduction
>> Synopsis
>> Who this document is for
>> Is Linux for you?
>> More security, more control
>> Freedom to (if you want):
>> to learn how computers work
>> to contribute
>> Software benefits:
>> much less expensive
>> Initial outlay lower
>> No need to spend $ on upkeep (e.g. AV, antispy, firewalls)
>> superior quality
>> But:
>> Must take time to install new system, transfer files
>> Must learn a different way of operating a computer
>> Windows way is different (not necessarily harder)
>> Switching may not be easy
>> But then, neither is continuing to use Windows.
>> Test drive a live CD.
>> Core differences
>> Free software
>> Modular applications
>> File system
>> Tree
>> Mounting
>> Case sensitive
>> File extensions (and lack thereof)
>> Multiuser system; file permissions
>> Most applications are included
>> Installing new applications
>> Getting help
>> Distribution documentation
>> /usr/share/doc
>> Desktop environment help systems
>> TLDP
>> man and info pages
>> Searching the Web
>> Usenet
>> Asking questions at websites
>> Reporting bugs
>> Saving documents from your Windows system
>> Finding all your documents
>> Back them up as necessary
>> Saving your emails
>> Outlook and Outlook Express
>> Other programs
>> Dealing with copy restricted WMAs and AACs
>> Choosing and installing a distribution
>> Desktops
>> Laptops (tuxmobil; Linux on laptops)
>> Desktop Applications
>> X, and Desktop Environments
>> GNOME
>> KDE
>> Others
>> Equivalent applications between Linux and Windows
>> Dial-up networking
>> Email, importing from Outlook
>> Financial files, importing from Quicken and Microsoft Money
>> Photos
>> Office
>> Tax (nothing yet, but Web apps available)
>> Wine and CrossOver Office
>> Multimedia playback (MP3 and DVD)
>> Purchasing MP3s (allofmp3, tunster)
>> File sharing
>> Burning CDs, and Windows-style packet writing
>> Archiving
>> For more information
>> Security
>> Best practices
>> Antivirus
>> System security updates
>> Firewalls
>> Installing new applications
>> Make sure one is not already installed
>> The two main Linux package types: rpm and dpkg
>> What a package is
>> What a repository is
>> The difference between:
>> dpkg and apt
>> rpm and {yast, urpmi, apt ...}
>> Dependencies and libraries
>> Searching for and installing packages
>> No rebooting needed
>> Other installation methods (avoid if possible)
>> from downloaded packages
>> from source
>> Hardware
>> Digital cameras
>> Printers
>> TurboPrint
>> Palms
>> iPods
>> Modems and Winmodems
>> System administration
>> System administration tools like Control Panel
>> Backup
>> Disk checking and defragmenting
>> Scheduling and automating tasks
>> cron
>> Shell scripting
>> Getting system configuration information
>> GUI tools
>> proc filesystem
>> lspci and lsusb
>> System and application settings (Registry)
>> Networking
>> Sharing printers and files
>> Startup and shutdown sequences
>> Working at the command line
>> Equivalent DOS and Linux commands
>> Coexistence of Linux and Windows
>> File and printer sharing
>> Linux use of Windows drive partitions
>> Programming
>>
>> --
>> Omari -- Caution. The moving walkway is ending.
>>
>> ______________________
>> http://lists.tldp.org/
>>
>>
>>
>
> - --
> My Penguin, my freedom. http://tille.xalasys.com
> Books: http://writers.fultus.com/garrels
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> ______________________
> http://lists.tldp.org/
>
>
