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The N900 is now 15 years old! (8)
to Nokia N900 by whayong - 14 hrs, 9 mins ago -
Sailfish OS for the Motorola Moto G7 Power (XT1955-5) - (ocean) (4)
to SailfishOS by Maemish - 5 days, 10 hrs ago - more...
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2009-10-27
, 20:57
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Posts: 155 |
Thanked: 118 times |
Joined on Jan 2008
@ Ontario, Canada
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#22
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Originally Posted by RevdKathy
I agree.
Actually, Mike, I think a lot of the questions starting to appear are so basic that even I could answer them, if I had the confidence. True, I can recite the technical specs in my sleep... I'm quite surprised at the frequency I'm answering things like "Is there an office app" (for example) on twitter. Certainly there will be questions for which a fair amount of techical knowledge is needed. But they aren't really the problem questions.
When the device is out, we'll (hopefully) have one and be able to answer about that too.
At the very least, we may know *where* to look, even if we don't know the answer.
I'd like to suggest we can get this started and get together a list of potential people willing to help. I'm in.
One thing we could potentially do is put a list of these people up someplace (but non-spammable)? Just thinking out loud...
BTW Kathy, I'm not sure I qualify as techie, but tidy, I most certainly amn't!
I do like to think I can bridge worlds though. Made a career out of trying to think that way, anyway.
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broken pencil
broken pencil
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2009-10-27
, 21:00
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Moderator |
Posts: 7,109 |
Thanked: 8,820 times |
Joined on Oct 2007
@ Vancouver, BC, Canada
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#23
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As I've said elsewhere, I agree with RevdKathy that most people will come here because they looked for an answer on Google and these forums came up on the top of their list.
For instance, if you wanted to know how to use SSH on your new N900, you'd go to google and type "ssh N900" and your first hit would be talk.maemo.org. In fact, there are so many hits here that Google groups the hits from t.m.o as a bunch, with a "more results from talk.maemo.org >>" link.
At the top left of every page is an "intro" button, and Quim Gil is going to be focusing on this page in the November sprint. I think that button is the single most important button for "newbies" because it will be there every time when they click through from Google to get an answer.
Last edited by qole; 2009-10-27 at 21:04. Reason: google.ca -> google.com
For instance, if you wanted to know how to use SSH on your new N900, you'd go to google and type "ssh N900" and your first hit would be talk.maemo.org. In fact, there are so many hits here that Google groups the hits from t.m.o as a bunch, with a "more results from talk.maemo.org >>" link.
At the top left of every page is an "intro" button, and Quim Gil is going to be focusing on this page in the November sprint. I think that button is the single most important button for "newbies" because it will be there every time when they click through from Google to get an answer.
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qole.org --- twitter --- Easy Debian wiki page
Please don't send me a private message, post to the appropriate thread.
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qole.org --- twitter --- Easy Debian wiki page
Please don't send me a private message, post to the appropriate thread.
Thank you all for your donations!
Last edited by qole; 2009-10-27 at 21:04. Reason: google.ca -> google.com
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2009-10-27
, 21:11
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Posts: 155 |
Thanked: 118 times |
Joined on Jan 2008
@ Ontario, Canada
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#24
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Originally Posted by sjgadsby
Okay, so how's this for a start: http://wiki.maemo.org/New_users
As a general note, not directed specifically at everyone's favorite stuffed bear, I hope everyone here can work past the habit of thinking "They really need to fix..." and begin thinking how to help make that needed change happen. As soon as you begin using any part of maemo.org, congratulations, you've become part of the community. Please don't hesitate to beat a wiki page into shape, tag threads, rate downloads, file bugs, brainstorm, or be the start of a Newbie Helpers Organization. Contribute whatever skills and time you have available, and we'll all benefit. Thanks.
Time to start editing and ribbing and generally feeling happy about helping others!
Steve
PS I don't want to mess with the front page right now (I'm shy
), but really think we should promote the New Users link more...
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2009-10-27
, 21:24
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Posts: 607 |
Thanked: 450 times |
Joined on Sep 2009
@ Washington, DC
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#25
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Originally Posted by smarsh
Being a N810 user, I was able to contribute some to the Maemo Basics page but I hope that somebody starts filling up the N900 section.
Okay, so how's this for a start: http://wiki.maemo.org/New_users
Time to start editing and ribbing and generally feeling happy about helping others!
I would suggest that one major section of the N900 entry (or even a section on the front page) should be N900 software. This should be divided into three sections: what the N900 can do out of the box (ideally this will be a series of links to Nokia documentation pages); what additional software is available for the N900 in the app store (here the documentation starts to get a bit spotty); and what is not yet available but is being worked on. For people who have gotten past the first steps with the phone, I suspect those are the questions they are going to want answered.
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2009-10-28
, 01:14
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Posts: 155 |
Thanked: 118 times |
Joined on Jan 2008
@ Ontario, Canada
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#26
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I've done wikis, but not this one... So:
Is it possible to have a text box to allow a newbie to type in their burning question without registering, and on submitting getting a 'ticket' and/or having it posted to a sticky thread that they can see but not edit (perhaps moderated too before posting) and then have a 'greeter' or whomever answer the question in that thread?
I ask because we could put that kind of box on the New Users page, or perhaps a link to a 'burning question' page which
1. showed faq
2. showed how to register on t.m.o
3. showed how to search
4. gave the box to fill out to generate a question 'ticket'
Just wondering if that sounds like a good idea or not?
Is it possible to have a text box to allow a newbie to type in their burning question without registering, and on submitting getting a 'ticket' and/or having it posted to a sticky thread that they can see but not edit (perhaps moderated too before posting) and then have a 'greeter' or whomever answer the question in that thread?
I ask because we could put that kind of box on the New Users page, or perhaps a link to a 'burning question' page which
1. showed faq
2. showed how to register on t.m.o
3. showed how to search
4. gave the box to fill out to generate a question 'ticket'
Just wondering if that sounds like a good idea or not?
__________________
broken pencil
broken pencil
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2009-10-28
, 01:28
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Posts: 1,255 |
Thanked: 393 times |
Joined on Oct 2009
@ US
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#27
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Please admit you are all actually motivated by:
"4. Techie addresses to send beer for appreciation for getting newbies out of trouble with N900."
The mighty power of beer!
Six smiles for a six pack
"4. Techie addresses to send beer for appreciation for getting newbies out of trouble with N900."
The mighty power of beer!
Six smiles for a six pack
| The Following User Says Thank You to Rushmore For This Useful Post: | ||
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2009-10-28
, 01:57
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Posts: 262 |
Thanked: 115 times |
Joined on Sep 2009
@ Scotland
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#28
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Originally Posted by RevdKathy
I'm not sure that wikis and faqs are the place to start. The scenario I see is this:
Joe has a problem or question with his (her?) n900.
Joes types a few related words into a search engine.
Search engine directs Joe to a thread on this forum.
That's how I got here, and I think it's how most newbies will get here. If Joe is well accustomed to bulletin boards he might do a search for a relevent thread. He's more likely to post in the thread he lands up in, or open a new thread. Regardless of relevence, or how many threads on that subject already exist. (Resistive v Capacitive? Shipping date?... )
The problem is that highly technical poeple have highly tidy minds, and are likely to make some comment about using the FAQ, search engine or wiki. Joe wants a person to answer his problem, not a wiki.
I really like the idea of a sticky - or even a small subforum (of n900? vBulletin does subfora!) for newbies. I also like the idea of having a few folk who are not techie types to keep the patience and keep signposting poor lost Joes to the information they need.
That doesn't need to be people who're highly skilled: it can be those of us who've got a fairly basic grasp - and know who to ask for something complicated!
Good post... totally agree
__________________
Average Joe kinda guy.. but a person too.
Average Joe kinda guy.. but a person too.
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2009-10-28
, 02:00
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Posts: 262 |
Thanked: 115 times |
Joined on Sep 2009
@ Scotland
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#29
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Originally Posted by sjgadsby
Another equally good post
Please, don't shy away from answering questions if you think you have an answer. You've already proven yourself an asset to the community, and new users will benefit greatly from your help.
If you're worried about giving an incorrect answer, please try to not be concerned about that. Everyone who participates here has accidentally, and with the best of intentions, given some bogus information one point or another. When that happens, someone else usually catches it quickly and helps steer the thread back on track. In my experience, this generally happens without any belittling of the person who made the mistake. Worst case is usually some friendly ribbing.
As a general note, not directed specifically at everyone's favorite stuffed bear, I hope everyone here can work past the habit of thinking "They really need to fix..." and begin thinking how to help make that needed change happen. As soon as you begin using any part of maemo.org, congratulations, you've become part of the community. Please don't hesitate to beat a wiki page into shape, tag threads, rate downloads, file bugs, brainstorm, or be the start of a Newbie Helpers Organization. Contribute whatever skills and time you have available, and we'll all benefit. Thanks.
__________________
Average Joe kinda guy.. but a person too.
Average Joe kinda guy.. but a person too.
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2009-10-28
, 02:01
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Posts: 155 |
Thanked: 118 times |
Joined on Jan 2008
@ Ontario, Canada
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#30
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Righto, so who wants to be a member of the Newbie Helpers Organization? PM away...
__________________
broken pencil
broken pencil
If you're worried about giving an incorrect answer, please try to not be concerned about that. Everyone who participates here has accidentally, and with the best of intentions, given some bogus information one point or another. When that happens, someone else usually catches it quickly and helps steer the thread back on track. In my experience, this generally happens without any belittling of the person who made the mistake. Worst case is usually some friendly ribbing.
As a general note, not directed specifically at everyone's favorite stuffed bear, I hope everyone here can work past the habit of thinking "They really need to fix..." and begin thinking how to help make that needed change happen. As soon as you begin using any part of maemo.org, congratulations, you've become part of the community. Please don't hesitate to beat a wiki page into shape, tag threads, rate downloads, file bugs, brainstorm, or be the start of a Newbie Helpers Organization. Contribute whatever skills and time you have available, and we'll all benefit. Thanks.
maemo.org profile
Last edited by sjgadsby; 2009-10-27 at 20:58.