On Tuesday 02 March 2004 15:00, Nick Daniels wrote:
Many thanks everybody for the information, and offers. I have just checkeked my llocal libary and it has several copies of "Running Linux" so I will direct them there.
Incredible...our library has an entire shelf devoted to microsoft or how to use the internet but nothing else at all. You can order books, though, so I should think most books are available to those who wait (and pay). There are a lot of helpful web forums for linux beginners, too, such as http://www.justlinux.com/forum/index.php or type linux + newbie into google for more helpful sites. You can ask the most ridiculous questions and no-one knows who you are, unlike this list where you know you will probably meet most people on it at one point or other and they'll go "aaaaah, so *that's* the one who...<insert dumb action here>". :-) Jen
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On Wednesday 03 March 2004 11:05, Jenny Hopkins wrote:
On Tuesday 02 March 2004 15:00, Nick Daniels wrote:
Many thanks everybody for the information, and offers. I have just checkeked my llocal libary and it has several copies of "Running Linux" so I will direct them there.
Incredible...our library has an entire shelf devoted to microsoft or how to use the internet but nothing else at all. You can order books, though, so I should think most books are available to those who wait (and pay). There are a lot of helpful web forums for linux beginners, too, such as http://www.justlinux.com/forum/index.php or type linux + newbie into google for more helpful sites. You can ask the most ridiculous questions and no-one knows who you are, unlike this list where you know you will probably meet most people on it at one point or other and they'll go "aaaaah, so *that's* the one who...<insert dumb action here>".
:-)
Jen
Many Thanks Braintree library has a shelf about 3 metres long filled with Linux books, I also got a dictionary out for myself!! Changing the subject , Yast update on Suse 9.0 has installed M$ fonts, which I do not like at all , insert dumb question << How do I remove them>>> I have found fonts in /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts , are the M$ the true type? Regards Nick Daniels
Hi Nick
I have just checkeked my llocal libary and it has several copies of "Running Linux" so I will direct them there.
You might want to look at the book first before recommending it to your friends. It is an excellent book - I often use it for reference - but focuses mainly on the command line which may not be what you want.
If I read your message correctly you want to guide people to use things like konqueror, mozilla, KMail, Evolution, OpenOffice etc with the minimum of 'techie' stuff. This is the way things are moving as more people want to try out a linux desktop but I'm not sure that any book like that exists yet for the general reader.
I suggest that you see if you can find a copy of the the 'Linux for Dummies' book as that is probably nearer to what you're looking for.
Mandrake also make their documentation available for free download and the User Guide may also be a useful place to start as it covers many of the apps and basic concepts as well as the mandrake-specific stuff.
Changing the subject , Yast update on Suse 9.0 has installed M$ fonts, which I do not like at all , insert dumb question << How do I remove them>>> I have found fonts in /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts , are the M$ the true type?
Did you get any feedback on this? I can post you a list of the MS webfonts if that would help.
Do you have the Bitstream Vera fonts - they are increasingly distributed as Free alternatives. I have imported some MS fonts as they help for rendering some webpages (on sites where font info is poorly coded and does not include user-set fonts as a display option) and for displaying some MS Office documents in OpenOffice but use the Bitstream fonts as my own desktop and application defaults.
HTH Syd
On Sunday 07 March 2004 07:28, Syd Hancock wrote:
Hi Nick
You might want to look at the book first before recommending it to your friends. It is an excellent book - I often use it for reference - but focuses mainly on the command line which may not be what you want.
If I read your message correctly you want to guide people to use things like konqueror, mozilla, KMail, Evolution, OpenOffice etc with the minimum of 'techie' stuff. This is the way things are moving as more people want to try out a linux desktop but I'm not sure that any book like that exists yet for the general reader.
I suggest that you see if you can find a copy of the the 'Linux for Dummies' book as that is probably nearer to what you're looking for.
Mandrake also make their documentation available for free download and the User Guide may also be a useful place to start as it covers many of the apps and basic concepts as well as the mandrake-specific stuff.
Changing the subject , Yast update on Suse 9.0 has installed M$ fonts, which I do not like at all , insert dumb question << How do I remove them>>> I have found fonts in /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts , are the M$ the true type?
Did you get any feedback on this? I can post you a list of the MS webfonts if that would help.
Do you have the Bitstream Vera fonts - they are increasingly distributed as Free alternatives. I have imported some MS fonts as they help for rendering some webpages (on sites where font info is poorly coded and does not include user-set fonts as a display option) and for displaying some MS Office documents in OpenOffice but use the Bitstream fonts as my own desktop and application defaults.
HTH Syd
Hi Syd Many thanks for reply, yes the book I am looking for is a very basic book as you described, and I also believe such a book does not exist. there are many people wishing to change to Linux who know nothing about computing and have no wish to use the command line I usually set up the mail and internet, audio etc for them. Just looked in the local library and found they have Linux for Dummies, will have a look. I have been installing Suse for them, but when I get Mandrake 10.0, I will change to that The good thing is that about 15 people have converted permanently to Linux, but many more would if they had a a basic book. On the MS fonts, after Yast update. with MS fonts installed ( Yast update states "installing MS Fonts") Suse 9.0 The text in the websites changed on Konqueror, the news ticker on BBC "runs out of space" . I preferred he previous configuration I cannot seem to find a happy compromise on configuring Konqueror, Googling, I find I am not the only one with the problem but no answer. could it be the KDE updates? Kind Regards Nick Daniels
Hi Nick
[big snip]
I have been installing Suse for them, but when I get Mandrake 10.0, I will change to that
Hmm, 10.0 is very much 'testing' at the moment - might be best to stick with 9.2.1 for the time being and wait for the tested version in a few months' time. .
On the MS fonts, after Yast update. with MS fonts installed ( Yast update states "installing MS Fonts") Suse 9.0 The text in the websites changed on Konqueror, the news ticker on BBC "runs out of space" . I preferred he previous configuration I cannot seem to find a happy compromise on configuring Konqueror, Googling, I find I am not the only one with the problem but no answer. could it be the KDE updates?
Which version of KDE is installed? FWIW I don't get these problems with the version I am using in Mdk9.2 - KDE 3.1.3 Konqueror 3.1.4 .
(Am waiting for a stable version of mandrake to include 3.2 before upgrading, simply because at present I don't have time to mess around if it caused problems. I think it's on the latest Knoppix though, may try that for curiosity).
In Konqueror, Settings -> Configure Konqueror -> Fonts I have minimum font size 7, medium font size 10 (have not altered these from the install defaults) and various flavours of Bitstream Vera for most of the default fonts. (The BBC site may use MS fonts though).
TBH I don't use Konqueror for web browsing very much although it is an excellent file manager. Opera or Mozilla have features that suit my needs and habits better.
Haven't yet tried any of the recent slimmed-down versions of Mozilla though. A project for another w/e perhaps - I fiddle around for an hour or to most saturday mornings trying to configure something new and not break things that already work :-)
Syd
On Sunday 07 March 2004 12:05, Syd Hancock wrote:
Hmm, 10.0 is very much 'testing' at the moment - might be best to stick with 9.2.1 for the time being and wait for the tested version in a few months' time.
Yes I think you are right there, I had some problems with the early versions of 9.2, I have both Mandrake 9.2 and Suse 9.0 and windows users, when asked want Suse installed usually "because" it looks smoother"!!!. Nobody ever wants Gnome desktop. Re. books , most people say they have time in lunch hour, on way to work to read etc, but when they get on their computer they wish to use it.
Which version of KDE is installed? FWIW I don't get these problems with the version I am using in Mdk9.2 - KDE 3.1.3 Konqueror 3.1.4 . In Konqueror, Settings -> Configure Konqueror -> Fonts I have minimum font size 7, medium font size 10 (have not altered these from the install defaults) and various flavours of Bitstream Vera for most of the default fonts. (The BBC site may use MS fonts though).
Haven't yet tried any of the recent slimmed-down versions of Mozilla though. A project for another w/e perhaps - I fiddle around for an hour or to most saturday mornings trying to configure something new and not break things that already work :-)
Syd
Thanks Syd I am using Suse 9.0, KDE 3.1.4, have been playing around and the News ticker is controlled by the medium font, works O.K. in medium size 10 but I pefer 11. A bit petty, but after the update all the web page appearances changed with no alteration by myself. Have tried Dillo seems O.K. , Most windoze users, where I have installed Linux want Firebird.
Many thanks Nick
Many thanks for reply, yes the book I am looking for is a very basic book as you described, and I also believe such a book does not exist.
This book looks interesting: "Moving to Linux, Kiss the Bluescreen of Death Goodbye"
Review here: http://www.linuxbeginner.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=...
" I have never been, and never will be a geek. Even after all this time, I don’t understand coding language and the hardware elements of computers pretty much befuddle me.
Still, I use my computer day and night. I don’t have a lot of time to learn new systems, feel my way through fancy new software and re-learn the art of making good documents. So it’s a bit scary to think of switching from a set of tried-and-true software products I’ve been logging thousands of hours on. I’m in that same comfort zone that “Moving to Linux” was designed for. "
Syd
On Monday 08 March 2004 19:01, Syd Hancock wrote:
Many thanks for reply, yes the book I am looking for is a very basic book as you described, and I also believe such a book does not exist.
This book looks interesting: "Moving to Linux, Kiss the Bluescreen of Death Goodbye"
Review here: http://www.linuxbeginner.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=...
"
Many thanks Syd looks just the book for newbies, I will foward the information to the relevant people, thanks for your time Best Regards Nick
On Wednesday 03 March 2004 11:05 am, Jenny Hopkins wrote:
Incredible...our library has an entire shelf devoted to microsoft or how to use the internet but nothing else at all.
Suprisingly, Norfolk Library appears to have quite a selection of GNU/Linux books available - From basic duffers guides through programming to gruesome stuff such as automake.
You can ask the most ridiculous questions and no-one knows who you are, unlike this list where you know you will probably meet most people on it at one point or other and they'll go "aaaaah, so *that's* the one who...<insert dumb action here>".
Like plugging serial communications devices in to general purpose parallel IO ports ? After conducting tests on some standard hardware, I have concluded that it is not a good idea to hot swap PCI or AGP cards - Something usually goes bang.
Regards, Paul.
On 2004-03-03 22:32:30 +0000 Paul bdi-emc@ntlworld.com wrote:
Suprisingly, Norfolk Library appears to have quite a selection of GNU/Linux books available - From basic duffers guides through programming to gruesome
Are any of them are held anywhere besides Norwich Library? It seems strange that those living in one of the richest districts are the only people who don't have to pay to access them.
Actually, this reminds me. I'm still waiting for the forms to list ALUG as a private library provider at Norfolk County Council. Must chase up. Is there similar for Suffolk and Cambs?
Some of us probably have large collections which could be made available for borrowing by ALUG members. Maybe it's time for an online library system? I know just the thing...
On Thursday 04 Mar 2004 10:29 am, MJ Ray wrote:
On 2004-03-03 22:32:30 +0000 Paul bdi-emc@ntlworld.com wrote:
Suprisingly, Norfolk Library appears to have quite a selection of GNU/Linux books available - From basic duffers guides through programming to gruesome
Are any of them are held anywhere besides Norwich Library? It seems strange that those living in one of the richest districts are the only people who don't have to pay to access them.
AFAIK all books can be a) reserved online using your library account no. and pin no. and b) collected from your local library. So they are widely available and not necessarily in Norwich library even if nominally catalogued there.
Syd
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