Linux for Dummies?

[Orethrius]

Okay, got your attention.

I am currently working on a manuscript for teaching Windows users how to use Linux (for which I am operating a dual-boot XP/FC system), in plain English.  Biases regarding Windows users aside, who else thinks that interest in such a publication might run high?  Also, what would be a decent title and - pending completion - a reasonable price for the paperback (eBook being free, natch)?

My motivation is to convince more disgruntled Windows users that Linux is a viable alternative OS, partly from my own experience.  Some people may doubt the wisdom of bringing certain Windows users to Linux, but I feel that one more Linux user is one less Microsoft sla... erm, "client."

Edit:  I feel it is best to ask here for suggestions regarding what specifics of desktop environs I should cover in this book, so go ahead and leave a few lines.  Thanks.          

Edit: I concur with xeen, this thread should be moved to the Linux forum - I didn't see the forum when I first posted, and failed to see the decidedly pro-Linux stance this thread would take.  Please consider this an open request to any mod here to move the thread as a whole to the appropriate forum.  Thanks.

[ June 11, 2004: Message edited by: Midnight Candidate ]

[ June 13, 2004: Message edited by: Midnight Candidate ]

[Refalm]

Is your book going to be regarding Linux on the desktop or as some kind of server?

We actually do need a clear and easy book for people to use Linux on the desktop, because most Linux books are server orientated.

Welcome to our forum  

[Orethrius]

Thank you for the warm welcome Refalm.      

I would say that the book is definitely geared more towards the desktop user environment, given that I am attempting to run down comparisons between Windows and WinE, with some regard given to the DOS / BASH similarities as well.  I'm just trying to do something that I've wanted to do for some time, which will hopefully help make Linux a little more viable for the more recent masses of "moderately simple" ( ) Windows users.

[zolo]

The fellows at Promote Open Source would be interested and/or helpful

Their forum

zooloo

[Refalm]

http://www.xpde.com/ might help users to migrate from Windows too.

[WMD]

quote:Originally posted by Midnight Candidate:
Edit:  I feel it is best to ask here for suggestions regarding what specifics of desktop environs I should cover in this book, so go ahead and leave a few lines.  Thanks.      

KDE and Gnome, of course, but also talk about XFce for people with lower-end hardware.  I started using v4.0.3 in FC1, and it's awesome.  Reduces RAM usage a shitload.  Important, because KDE/Gnome are starting to get really slow.     (I'm sure it'll improve but Fedora Core 1/2 lists 192MB as a RAM requirement, due to KDE/Gnome.)

[hm_murdock]

http://erudition.calyptos.com

Another forum that was  a spinoff of this one. We'll help you too!

Also, currently I'm involved with two projects to improve the ease-of-use of Linux, hosted at http://komodolinux.org. Komodo and GenSTEP will be a great step forward for Linux on the Desktop.

we've got forums there, too.

[Orethrius]

Thanks for the resources, everybody.

Now I don't suppose anybody has any name concepts to throw in the pot?  I'm considering Easing the Transition : Understanding Linux for Windows Users, but I'd love to hear other suggestions.

Edit: I am also considering having this reference work ghostwritten, as I find I often have trouble with interpreting abstract concepts into the written word.  If anybody wants to give their opinion of ghostwriters, or if they have some names of people who would do so on commission, I would appreciate them doing so here.  I feel that doing so - with an explicit directive to take into consideration anything mentioned by the members of this forum - could only help this tome reach the open market that much sooner.  Please don't hesitate to IM me at midnitecandidate with any thoughts on this subject (yes; I, too, was surprised that that screenname wasn't taken yet    ).

[ June 13, 2004: Message edited by: Midnight Candidate ]

[Xeen]

Can this please be moved into the Linux section?

[WMD]

quote:Originally posted by Midnight Candidate:
Edit: I am also considering having this reference work ghostwritten, as I find I often have trouble with interpreting abstract concepts into the written word.

I can help you with that...  

[Orethrius]

I'm not much of one to let a thread that could potentially help myself (among other OSC users) grow stagnant, so I have decided to reiterate my request for title suggestions.

Additionally, I would like to take this time to ask those of us who have seen the manuscript whether I should remove or rethink chapter four.   My thinking is that I should probably refer users to the individual installation guides for their Linux distribution(s) rather than retread old - and possibly misleading - ground.  I'm considering  revising that chapter to cover the pros and cons of different Linux distributions, as well as the target user group for each.

Edit: Whoops, forgot to ask about the MSRP.  I'm thinking somewhere in the ballpark of USD 20, to compensate all parties involved without gouging out the eyeballs of the end user.  The eBook will be free, naturally. :cool:

[ June 20, 2004: Message edited by: Midnight Candidate ]

[flap]

What does OSC stand for?

[TheQuirk]

I think something beat you to it.

[Orethrius]

Hardly.  Like I've stated before, the intent of the book is to drive users away from Windows and into Linux, NOT teach them how to start with Linux right off.  Besides, even if it were, it can hardly hurt to have two books on the subject (amongst the scores of Windows volumes) now can it?  I'm actually assuming a minimal level of computer literacy on the part of the reader here, so it's definitely aimed more towards the disillusioned Windows "power user" than someone completely new to the world of PCs.  Don't mistake this for an introductory book for somebody who can't tell the difference between a menu bar and a bar menu (beer and buffalo wings, mostly), it's meant for those with SOME pre-existing technical skill.

[Refalm]

quote:Originally posted by TheQuirk: I Just Want Attention:
I think something beat you to it.

Yes, but that book seems to be fixed on Fedora Core 2.
We need a book that addresses the most distributions posible, which is going to be really difficult.