Knoppix Learning Edition?

[Matrox]

Hey... don't know if anyone has suggested something like this before. But a really great idea would be to make a second version of knoppix, but this one be a stripped down version. Take out some of the programs that aren't exactly necessary. And instead of having a ton of programs, have a bunch of custom written up manuals and tutorials on the CD, so users can pop the CD in, read how to do stuff with linux, and try it out! It'd be a version of linux specifically to learn linux.

Knoppix is such a great tool for new users to linux (like me!). It's so great to see how well the HD installation scripts are coming along. Run the CD, see how you like it, play around with it, then just run the HD install and make it permanent!

[probono]

Often people ask for "stripped down" versions. I do not see why this would be an advantage. If you don't need an app, simply don't use it. The fact that it is on the CD doesn't make your system slower or something.

[j.drake]

Even Knoppix newbies are generally quite proficient in Windows or some other aspect of computing, so they generally come to Knoppix with a number of needs and expectations. For example, I need DVD burning, but others complain that they don's have a DVD burner. By the time you accommodate these needs and expectations for everyone, you wind up with Knoppix.

JD

[Matrox]

no no... you got me wrong. I don't mean just a stripped down version just for the heck of it... there's DSL (Damn Small Linux) for that. which is like a 50Mb version on knoppix or something. I mean, add in a bunch of tutorials and learning references onto the knoppix CD, specially made for people new to linux. I only suggested stripping it down because I know we're probably at the maximum amount of space, and in order to accomidate manuals, tutorials, and what not, some stuff would have to go.

So yea, it's basically the same knoppix, but with added stuff for people who don't know how to use linux, and wish to learn. Obviously a few things would have to go to accomidate the space, and normal users wouldn't want the version since all the extra learning stuff would be completely unnecessary. I don't know, lol, it'd probably be too much work and effort anyways when there are plenty of sites and books that teach linux.

just an idea i had

[j.drake]

I guess what I would rather see is for the English version of each Knoppix release to replace all the LinuxTAG cra-, uh, er, 'stuff ' (after all, WTH is going to download Knoppix for the first time, see the stuff for LinuxTAG, and honestly contemplate flying to Hannover from the UK, US, or Australia to go to it???) with basic information for new users, and then have a link directly to this site, straight to a new tab called "4Newbies", or something to that effect, with a concentration of documentation written specifically for new users, separate from the general 'Docs' tab. Then, the registration process for this site would not complete until the new member is taken to the top of that tab, and scrolls all the way to the bottom, so at least they know that the new user documentation is available before they start posting here.

Anyway, just an idea. It's not my distro and it's not my site, so far be it from me to dictate what these folks should do.

JD

[Mustang64]

Over all it sounds like a good idea. I too would like to find more non-technical references to Linux...

Any site recomendations for the non-technical types???

[OErjan]

depends whatyou want to learn, basic consolework? for that i recomend floppix.com has great labs with questions/answers... all in all a basic tutorial in console linux on 75 pages.
to me tecnical is explaining how a hdd works, both mecanicaly and how it works with nodes... or perhaps how a CPU uses binary code. ok i know the principles and have a basic undertanding on those things, no i am no guru.
what i mean is the the term "tecnical" is different depending on where on the scale of knowlege one stands. what to me is basic editing of a file in /etc/* using vi, is magic to someone else.