Linux Lite Forums
General => Suggestions and Feedback => Topic started by: gold_finger on January 06, 2015, 06:54:32 PM
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Hi Everyone,
We're looking for ways to improve the Help Manual and would really appreciate your input. Consider this a kind of free-for-all general brainstorming session. At this point, any ideas that you think will make the manual better/(more useful) are welcome. Only real caveat is for you to try limiting suggestions to things that would likely benefit a fair number of people. (In other words, try to steer clear of topics that would only be of interest to 1 in 100 people.)
Any particular topics that you wish were in the manual but are not right now?
Anything in it already that you think could use further/better explanation?
If you think back to when you first started using Linux (any distro), what are some of the things that were most confusing and that you wish you had good information on from the beginning?
If you have used the help manual to try finding an answer to something, was it easy to find what you were looking for? Or was it a bit confusing figuring out exactly where to look?
Any suggestions for improving the overall layout of the manual, possibly making it easier to find what you are looking for when using it?
Once we've got a good amount of feedback, we'll go from there and possibly put up a poll for you cast votes for the suggestions you think are most important to start with adding to the manual.
Thanks.
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A "Quick Start" index (like some technical books have at the beginning of a book) to help beginners get off to a quick start by listing a short index of the most commonly asked questions.
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I would think of Files Permissions as some new to Linux have & Root Password , but it s not recommended to new people to Linux .
Not much could be done , I guess it s pretty good as itl is right now .
But ideas will come by as time goes by .
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A "Quick Start" index (like some technical books have at the beginning of a book) to help beginners get off to a quick start by listing a short index of the most commonly asked questions.
I like this idea on Commonly asked questions.
As for the first page I think few lines of icons would be better for navigation in the manual.
(http://icons.iconarchive.com/icons/glyphish/glyphish/icons-390.jpg)
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Dictionary of terminology used in the manual, that new users will not be familiar with.
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Hello,
I'm a relative new comer to LL but not to Linux (no way an expert).
I've just read the manual for the first time and it is actually quite good.
When buying or using something new, the first thing I do is look on You Tube,
for xmas I bought 3 Tablets for my grandchildren and a cycle rack for my son and the You Tube videos where so much better than the instructions that came with the products.
So, just a suggestion, why not create an official You Tube channel, with various videos, especially installation guides, an area that confuses and puts new uses off.
Keith
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Hi gold_finger,
I think a couple of the challenges when you first start with LL(Linux),
1. Where do I start.?, The user manual, so this should be the key focus.
Coming from Windows where for a user it was more or less switch it on, follow the install prompts/guide and away you go.
2. Then there is the terminology, already mentioned by bitsnpcs(good one),
An A-Z of the most common "terms" and "commands" would be useful. So 2 new sections?
> FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions, there could be links back to any already existing "How To's" in the Forum
> CUC = Commonly Used Commands, These are the ones that people like yourself ask for on a regular basis.
3. I think there is already an enormous amount of information, answers and solutions within the forum...But
If you are new and not familiar with LL(Linux), and maybe English is not your 1st language, deciding what to "search" for can be a challenge.
This one is more a challenge, and potentially to much of a resource burden and drain on people like your good self...
It needs the creations of some form indexed/reference knowledge section with just one liners, bit like a mini-wiki.
See if I can explain,, Create a section, say "Common & Known Solutions and Answers"
Break it into Key subject areas, Install , Software , Hardware and Configuration
There would be sub categories under each of the main subject areas, These get added to when new subjects arise.
Now each time a solution to an an issue/question is found, a one liner and link to the relevant post/source is added in the relevant category.
Example of how it could work/look,, I'm having an issue with a Bluetooth Device,
So I go and look in the Hardware > Bluetooth section
I see some one liners, and something that sounds like my issue, and a link to click on, like this...
Hardware
Bluetooth
One liner 1 + Link
One liner 2 + Link
Enabling Full Bluetooth Support in Linux Lite = https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/index.php?topic=558.0 (https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/index.php?topic=558.0)
One liner 3 + Link
Just my thoughts...
Obviously, like I said, it would put a lot on the shoulders of the mods & devs, and maybe just to much of an ask..??
and like all knowledge systems they are are only as good as the content, and relevance = "Ongoing Maintenance"
Otherwise they become stale and out of date.
Dave
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Lots of good suggestions! Thanks to all who posted so far.
Going to leave this open for a few days at least (probably through the weekend) to give plenty of time for others to put in ideas and to give everyone a chance to add things that might come to mind after their initial posts.
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Just to show what one member of our crew does
LINK
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFWlej2CSKlXW5uE9opXukQ)
and we are a small but mighty team.
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Hi rokytnji,
For some reason I get "this video doesn't exist" when I click it. Did you post correct link, or do you think it got deleted?
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1/ the Linux Cheat Sheet Jerry posted, as an index of commands for experienced users.
2/ https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/index.php?topic=1167.msg8557#msg8557 (https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/index.php?topic=1167.msg8557#msg8557)
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Hi rokytnji,
For some reason I get "this video doesn't exist" when I click it. Did you post correct link, or do you think it got deleted?
My bad. I did not realize how the forum slices up a youtube link into just the last numbers after V=.
Anyways. I fixed it.
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@rokytnji,
Thanks -- link works now. That's pretty impressive. Something to consider for sure later on after we get the manual squared away.
@everyone,
Thanks again for the input. Keep the ideas coming.
Just to let you all know ahead of time -- I'm purposely trying to comment as little as possible on the ideas you are putting up for right now. I don't want to end up influencing the direction things go in. Figure that way things will stay in more of a free-flowing mode. So don't mistake my lack of reaction to specific ideas as me not liking them or not appreciating them. I'll tell you right now that I like a lot of what I'm seeing and you're pointing things out that I hadn't thought of before. So, keep up the good work.
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Just found another idea from helping a mate in the Forum .
How LeafPad works , its functions & how to save commands in it .
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Another one from someone in the forum , What to do when someone has broken updates .
Post #3 of this thread : https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/index.php?topic=1257.msg8279#msg8279
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Removing PPA
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True , PPAs that you re not using anymore .
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Ok -- Thanks to everyone for your input.
Going to sort through suggestions and get input from Jerry & Misko. Will post back here in a few days with general game plan and/or requesting more input on some of the ideas.
Going to leave this thread open so anyone can add to it as new ideas pop up over time.
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Thanx gold_finger for all these efforts !
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Thank You gold_finger for all your work on the Help Manual, and forum. :)
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Many Thanks...
Your contribution is what makes Linux Lite stand out from the crowd
Dave
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Hello!
Yes, gold_finger, your advice has helped many - myself included...
73 DE N4RPS
Rob
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Files Permissions How Tos .
Also , How To Remove Addons that lower your Firefox or Chrome Browser .
The importance of updating your system .
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I've been using Linux for many years, and any time I convert someone to it (mostly family members) I have to go through the "Windows to Linux App List" and describe what apps are available with equivalent functionality. There are a lot of sites on the web with this info, but a specific section for LinuxLite apps might be useful.
I.e.:
- Graphics (GIMP, ShotWell, etc.)
- CD/DVD (Brasero)
- Office (LibreOffice)
- Internet (Firefox, Chrome)
- Systems Settings (Settings Manager)
Each section would enumerate several apps, what they do, and where to find them in the menu. Potentially also list which apps are installed by default and which ones can be added by the user.
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Good call riser . Windows equivalents .
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I got lots of questions can spend days weeks months before finding how to or why does x do that.
I.E adding a program to startup automatic launch something program launches sometimes it don't.
May I could list and make screenshots.
Don't see why some features are hidden
I.E looking at file folder why there no slider or right click or under view to change thumbnail size.
Easy when you know how looking here and elsewhere have seen different flavour has a slider.
Does seem most questions are not the same as it's down to hardware.
Like to help If I can
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What to do after upgrade screwed system down .
How to fix grub .
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Latest screenshots of the new Help Manual (Still under development, we'll post a link later when the first beta is ready for testing)
Mobile:
(http://i.imgur.com/1Vo7Dwd.png)
Desktop:
(http://i.imgur.com/IApfIqe.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/ii9Q1M1.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/j61scGj.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/YP4ELLy.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/3DbMA4H.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/A5Vm5bq.png)
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How to add context menu erase/shred option (with Gutmann method).
You already have how to encrypt file, so...
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Wow, that is looking good... Clean & Sharp
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Added Windows Equivalents of Linux Programs to Software page:
(http://i.imgur.com/eAWTRIu.png)
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I know this is an old topic......and having just tried out a Live session of Lite 2.6 I see that the Help Manual is up and running. It is an impressive and comprehensive piece of work, and a great addition to the distro, especially for newcomers like me!
I have only skimmed the manual very quickly. I assume it is going to be reviewed and updated. If so, one thing I didn't find - which might be useful - is an explanation of Wine. For Linux veterans and devotees Wine is probably irrelevant. But for those (like me) who have spent years with Windows programs (and have a soft spot for some of them....) Wine is quite useful. For example, I am deeply attached to FastStone Image Viewer for organising and editing my photos and have found no comparable Linux equivalent.
There is a section in the Help Manual which lists Linux equivalents to many Windows programs, and that's useful. But - assuming that Wine will run in Linux Lite - would it be sensible to have a section in "software" linked to that list which explains how to install Wine and then how to run Windows programs, using Wine, in a Linux OS?
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I would think there is at least one worthy Linux alternative to FastStone.
But on the bigger issue of Wine, it is installable via Lite Software, and Wine even shows up in the Help Manual screenshots of Lite Software. A short explanation in the Help Manual of what Wine is wouldn't hurt, but I think it would be out of scope to explain how to use it. A pointer to the WineHQ website or to this support forum would be as far as I would go.
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I confess I hadn't noticed that Wine was included in the Lite Software list and shown in the Help Manual screenshot.
But if we assume (probably correctly) that most users of the Help Manual will be new to Linux and new to Linux Lite, and that most will be refugees from Windows, I do think it would be useful to have a couple of introductory and explanatory sentences (logically in the "Linux equivalents to Windows programs" section) about what Wine is and why it might be worth having, with a link to WineHQ and the forum.
Although using Wine with Windows programs is arguably a less satisfactory route to follow than opting for a new and different Linux alternative program, it is a way of easing the transition.
As for FastStone, I'm sure there are decent Linux alternatives and I wouldn't want to trigger a debate (at least not in this thread). Some (like Shotwell) are okay, while I find GIMP, for example, too complex and user-unfriendly. FastStone just happens to offer the combination of editing and organising facilities that suits me, and I am very accustomed to it. But it's a personal thing, and others will no doubt have different, and equally valid, program-preferences.
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Yesterday while going through the help manual I noticed a small typo. It is located:
https://www.linuxliteos.com/manual/hardware.html#installissues
"Dual Boot Install on Systems with More Than One Hard Drive?
When choosing to install Linux Lite alongside Windows on a computerwith more than one hard drive, the default action of the installer is to install the Linux boot loader to the MBR of the first hard drive. Since Windows is likely installed to the first drive, its boot loader will be replaced on the MBR with the Linux boot loader. The Linux boot loader will see the Windows installation and add it to the boot menu on start-up. This is how most people do the installation."
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I'm reviving this thread as the last few days I've been updating information and screenshots in the Help Manual.
If you have any sensible suggestions for new content for the Manual, please let us know in this thread.
What to keep in mind:
- Suggestions only for programs or features we ship, keeping in mind providing that there is no suitable documentation already for that software or feature (no third party suggestions)
Thread now stickied.
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I'm reviving this thread as the last few days I've been updating information and screenshots in the Help Manual.
If you have any sensible suggestions for new content for the Manual, please let us know in this thread.
What to keep in mind:
- Suggestions only for programs or features we ship, keeping in mind providing that there is no suitable documentation already for that software or feature (no third party suggestions)
Thread now stickied.
As a new user to LL (but a user of other distros both gui and headless) the only thing I couldn't get right was sharing. In other gui packages right clicking on a folder and select sharing will work if cifs-utils are installed, on a headless server your editing smb.conf etc.
However, I decided to look at the manual (first for me) and follow the networking section....for me this failed, for two reasons, my netbios name of the laptop was more than 15 characters, and the share name was more than 12. Manual shows the share name as linuxliteshare, linuxliteVideos and so on. Correcting the netbios name solved the first problem, the share name I resolved following a video by @ralphy and created shares simply by their folder name, that resolved the second.
BTW the Network Share Settings is the first I have seen and it's very helpful for someone new, the manual itself is very well written.
Many thanks, Geoff
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I'll correct the Manual to show shorter names.
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I've also posted a job for freelance web developers to provide us with a searchable Help Manual (both on and offline).
Hopefully I'll be able to report some good news on this in the future.
(http://i.imgur.com/Ev4kUQr.png)
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Perhaps add a link in the manual to the Forum Posting Guidelines.
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Perhaps add a link in the manual to the Forum Posting Guidelines.
Consider it done.
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Let me recommend:
1- Addition to Tutorials: https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/tutorials/remote-accesscontrol-linux-lite-3-x/
2- Update the SSD documentation. I rant about it in my blog (https://unlockforus.com/ssd-trim-linux-lite-3-x-series-missing-option/) just a couple days ago :)
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@ralphy will look at those, thanks.
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2- Update the SSD documentation. I rant about it in my blog just a couple days ago :)
@ralphy - I'm now aware of your excellent blog, thanks.
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I've looked at the SSD article on Ralphy's blog. It is better than editing the fstab file, but I can't help but think a point and click option would offer the best final result on this issue (something to include in Lite Tweaks?) given that we're targeting Windows & OSX users.
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hhhmmmm - I just reset up the mini (with an SSD) and enabled trim per the manual.. After reading the rant.. How I typically use this box; is I'll close the lid to hibernate the majority of the time.. Most of my reboots occur after system updates - didn't give it much thought till now... :-X :-[
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I've looked at the SSD article on Ralphy's blog. It is better than editing the fstab file, but I can't help but think a point and click option would offer the best final result on this issue (something to include in Lite Tweaks?) given that we're targeting Windows & OSX users.
That will undoubtedly be the ultimate solution, Jerry. At first sight it will need to:
1- Check all mounted points in the system
2- Check which ones are SSDs
2.1 - Exclude the SWAP of course
3- Display them all and allow users to select which ones they want trimming enabled on.
4- Add the schedule task to crontab
5- Allow users to select the time for the cron job to run.
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VNC tutorial added. Accessible from our online Manual now, and will be released in the next version of Updates.
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Working with our Web Dev the last few days, the Search feature is nearly ready complete with Google style results to keep things familiar...
(http://i.imgur.com/3iSWvoa.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/TnVxS9T.png)
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8) Great additional feature. Thanks Jerry.
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8) Great additional feature. Thanks Jerry.
@Scott , indeed! This is going to be a well appreciated feature that has been requested for some time now... woohooo!
@Jerry , regarding the SSD documentation and a viable solution, I coded a rather rough basic tool to address some of that but I wasn't too happy about it and came up with a different approach instead; gnome-schedule that is. I think this is a simple way to do it and an easy one to document; it simplifies the process and gives users the ability to schedule and manage their own tasks under Linux Lite.
I have posted about it in my blog (https://unlockforus.com/scheduled-tasks-gui-linux-lite-3-x/)
Hope it helps others.
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@ralphy I tried the download link in your blog and it just loaded another page.
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@ralphy I tried the download link in your blog and it just loaded another page.
Please try again... overzealous naxsi rules.
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Holy dependencies Batman!
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It requires python-gtk2-dev, python-gconf, at, gnome-doc-utils, scrollkeeper, intltool, gksu
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New section added to the next release of the Help Manual, Tour. I get a ton of emails about having something like this included, so I can now cross this off my list :)
(http://i.imgur.com/l8x9KRz.png)
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I have a laptop with a broken screen, windows recognized the 1280x800 resolution of my external VGA monitor All linux distros for me return edid error. I figured it out, with help from forums, but it could have been easier. Instructions for usage of cvt and xrandr and folder placement would be invaluable for some. Old guy here, 63, old electronics tech, I have patience, some do not. Thanks
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Glad to hear the call for suggestions. A good help file determines whether I stay with an os or piece of software. This might be true for other people who live to learn as I do.
I switched to LinuxLite about 2 years ago. It is my main os now. Backup, documentation, and privacy and security were my main concerns when first learning linux. There wasn’t any sign of distros being concerned about making a restore point or wiping private data. These are the things I would have liked to have seen then and now:
- systemback: I was glad to see it pre-installed. Setting a restore point after install and updates is one of the best time savers I can think of. I’d add the following things because of the lack of documentation from the developer & all of the trial an error I went through.
- For multiboot users: a short tutorial for making an ext “backup” partition with gparted; mounting the parition and choosing the partition before making and naming a restore point;
- using the default grub repair settings from an install disc to fix grub and change the os that boots first;
- cascading menu links: when you put the pointer on “start here” and other buttons submenus pop out.
- titles read tracking system: for those who set out to read the whole manual and need a helper to meet that goal.
- adjust page layout: Graphic design and the fine arts are interests of mine; The first page of the manual is beautiful. Some to the changes that you may consider are:
- the “start here” and other buttons could be made smaller to create some white space and even leave room for some of the interface changes that are most popular or needed.
- The color pallet is good. Many computer help files are boring to look at. New users are used to making the interface “their own”. Some os builders don’t fully recognize this.
- The “linux lite help manual” title is kind of floating in the white space. The white can be changed to a tint or a random color pattern. It may seem over the top, but it is a very small area and will implant a non descriptive emotional element that may excite people to use this will made manual (The shortcut links, videos and images are awesome additions).
- The glossary could have more entries or just an advanced section.
- Customizing should include changing panel icons (os improvement: I have to reopen the icon manager for each panel icon change. I don’t see any of the ubuntu based os’s making this customization take less time.
- How to add a software center. Synaptic p.a. is difficult for a newbie to use. They don’t need to see all the system packages mixed in with consumer type software. (os improvement: LL needs a software center put in the “lite software” choices. I use gnome-software it takes some time to load, but in see no drain on my pentium 2.4 with 2gb ram. ).
- gparted: how to change the file system name of your os or partition using gparted. This name shows up in the file menu folder tree.
- gnome disk utility: show how to use it to keep track of how many gb are left on a drive. The partitioning method seems to be easier in gparted.
- lite sofware app: describe each of the app download links listed in the app and provide wiki page links. As a newbie I’d like to see: bleachbit, xfce notes or noblenotes, clamav, veracrypt, a password manager, a vpn, mintstick to format flash drives
- intermediate skills section: to list some things for more intermediate type tasks, like:
- reducing the swap file from 60 to 5
- changing the grub time out from 10 sec to 30.
- making your computer faster by turning off compositior, power management and making windows invisible when dragging or resizing.
- updating playonlinux and the security concerns with this gui of wine. How to install apps into wine the easy, safer way (q4wine ?).
- openvpn or a browser plugin (browsec vpn needs no email at registration) to keep your service provider from accessing all your activities.
- A sandbox for downloaded file so that clamav can scan them (like puppy605 has).
- Bleachbit documentation is hard to find, but it is the only privacy solution close to ccleaner for windows. I here it is what was used for Hilary’s emails. (os improvement: add it to the “lite software” app).
- Chromium is faster than firefox (even with the sme vpn & antivirus plugins running in both). The documentation could include installing addons and installing and updating pepperflash (os improvement: have a self updating flash addon installed by default for this browser).
- what other people like about linux section: quotes could be taken from various sources (ie. “A lot of distros talk about attracting windows users, linuxlite is the best i've seen at doing this, yet it still has it’s own identity.”
corbin.
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Keyboard shortcuts are on the Start page. We aim to keep new users out of the Terminal where possible, therefore do not want Terminal commands or a section to be to much of a focus. Our Terminal section has the basics, plus a useful cheatsheet. The side Menu is deliberately not alphabetical. It's structured in such as way as to flow from one section to another eg. once they understand the Start section, they can then move onto to attempting an Install, once they have mastered an Install, Network and Software usually follows, and at the end Customize their OS having mastered the previous sections...and so on. Thank you for your suggestions.
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At this point we're looking for content providers who can write simple, concise explanations for common tasks. What we don't want is content based on peoples personal preference.
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That makes sense like the man page model just updated.
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What's the link for?
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Hello All
I suggest more detailed information's or explaintations how to use Terminal
for example
How to install software or other usefull thinks so that somebody could get the most important used codes on one page
Greetings
Nanayaw
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How to install software via the cli is a fair suggestion, I'll add that.