Newbie Helpers Organization
 

Motivated by http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p...0&postcount=22

Should we have a (Committee or) Organization of volunteer Newbie Helpers as part of maemo.org?

What would they do? Why? Who for? How?

Who would like to be a member (don't all shout at once)

There might be beer in it for you... (Rushmore is buying: http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p...3&postcount=28)

I'd be happy to help move the process along (or at least, learn how to do so ! :rolleyes: )

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

I'd like to help maemo community!
My skills:
- ubuntu user since many years
- low programming skill (c++, bash)
- translating language it<>en very good
- teaching I&T very good
what can I do?

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

I'd like to help if I can.

My skills:
Programming = zero
Knowledge of maemo/n900 = only what I've picked up here
Patience = considerable (including 7 years experience working in mental heathcare)
Internet communication skill: good, evidenced by 8 years as mod/admin on one of the net's more challenging commuities... though actually it's not so bad these days (is that why I quit??)

Am I any use?

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

Yes, definitely we should have a newbie help department.
I wrote a proposal as solution in a brainstorm article... but I can't locate it anymore.
Briefly, I thought of an online office, with proper graphics, apart from the rest of the maemo.org site, where more experienced member volunteer to help those who 'enter'. Since I guess we're from each and every time zone, the 'office' could be open 24/7 or almost.
The preferred mean of communication should be something like an online chat in a browser window, with the possibility of course of linking to other pages. The chat transcripts should be available in an archive for reference.
Volunteering as helpers should make you earn karma points.
And, there should be a method to kick out trolls and spam.

What do you think of the idea?

My preferred name, btw, is "Lucy's place. The doctor is 'in'" even if that might get into copyright issues :)

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

I recall seeing that, and I can't find it either. Sod it, let's just do it.

I like the doctor is in, btw. (I am one, at least that's what it says in my tax returns, so the title works whatever! ;) )

Kathy, maemo.it, delighted to have you around and more than happy for the help. For the bear especially, you've shown rather more nouse than you give yourself credit for...

Anyway, For debernadis' idea, we'd need a placeholder. We can link to it from the new users page for now, but where could it be held, and who could do such fancy stuff for us?

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

Im happy to help where I can..

Programming = 0, though I do know some basic vb scripting
IT background = networking, mainly HP/Cisco switches/routers
Maemo knowledge = none - just installed my first ever linux VM 2 days ago and how different is it to windows :eek:
n900 knowledge picked up from this community only

So I don't know much, but I will help out where I can and hopefully learn something myself along the way...

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

Smarsh kindley started a New Users page in the wiki here:

http://wiki.maemo.org/New_users#The_...900....3F_list

And I've just been a posted a whole long list of very basic questions to it. It would be good if we had as many answers as possible before Shipping Day. And there are probably lots more questions I didn't think to ask about things that aren't my personal area of interest (*coughgamescough*)

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

Smashing effort, thanks Kathy.

Now then, to all within the sound of my voice, more questions are grand, and please, try to put a few answers in. I'll be monitoring this weekend, but a little tied up, and will get back to it Tuesday latest to help tidy up the page and fill in answers myself too (what I can, anyway).

Games... Never thought about that, but definitely should be dealt with. Anyone?

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

Hey gang, no reason to duplicate effort:

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=32835

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

very good idea RevdKathy ;)
I'll participate too!

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

I've answered a few, following the formatting previously established in the page. However, there's likely going to need to be some further effort put forth in terms of formatting questions and answers. They're already becoming a jumble.

I've no time for that work right now, unfortunately.

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

Thanks!


No worries, I'll happily take that on in the next 2-3 days.

Steve

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

Smarsh, your efforts are truly appreciated-- but did you note the Brainstorm item I linked earlier? If you see your ideas are not represented, please add any as Solution(s). If you see that one or more Solutions are in the ballpark but could use refining, feel free to add to the discussion.

Thanks!

Brainstorm idea link again: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=32835

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

Yep, I did. I added an idea and think I voted, but it's all a blur. I'm unsure what the process is with Brainstorms though and didn't think the wiki edit is in contradiction (but maybe it is?!).

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

Brainstorm intro: http://maemo.org/community/brainstor...roduction-swf/

Note sure what you mean by a wiki edit possibly being in contradiction... but please, this is one of my action items (2 actually) so you have my full attention. :)

Re: Newbie Helpers Organization
 

Thanks Texrat. I appreciate the attention and the links.

I'm going to do the Brainstorm thing also. The new users page I got the impression was a timely need (much like maemo basics page, which it links to) and I'm aiming to have it fit on one tablet page for ease of access, with links away. So right now you might see it as a placeholder for the info.

I aim to make that placeholder look nice this weekend, but might be a little delayed (got a few talks to write and another rather important day-long errand today) so hopefully you'll see what it's supposed to look like early next week.

Meanwhile, I had it in my head to do this in parallel with the brainstorm idea. You'll note that the changes are to one page only that had a simple link (forward to maemo basics) previously, so I tried hard not to affect other peoples' hard work. I hope that works for all. In terms of timeliness, when N900 appears, I think Kathy's 'Can it Do' list is going to be a powerful draw. Plans there are to divide into sections, each potentially on a small page of its own, linked from a 'Can it Do' page. Does that make sense.

An aside:
As a computer scientist, I love this stuff (talk & wiki). As an HCI researcher, I see the pitfalls. As a social scientist I'd keenly aware of the problems of (double!) misunderstandings in what gets said and what gets meant. So, excuse me if anything in here treads on toes, and please tell me if the contradiction does exist (or a clash at least between the new users action and the brainstorm) and I'll work toward a solution that doesn't! :)

Steve