Ideas and Plans for Improving Ubuntu Documentation

[maruchan]

Does anybody else hesitate to refer new users to the wiki?

There's a lot of valuable information on the wiki, but it just isn't very noob friendly. For one, everything is WrittenLikeThis. And then there's the fact that wikis are usually so loosely structured that users feel really confused.

As long as there is a doc team, why not just set up a new user docs-only site with a simple-to-navigate CMS and call it the official ubuntu guide? If people are going to wet their pants if they can't edit a page, let them leave a comment or sign up to be on the doc team.

If this isn't possible, let's at least have a "New users click here for the manual" link above all the "You too can edit wiki pages!" self-gratifying snarf on the home page.

EndOfRant

[benplaut]

Originally Posted by maruchan Does anybody else hesitate to refer new users to the wiki? There's a lot of valuable information on the wiki, but it just isn't very noob friendly. For one, everything is WrittenLikeThis. And then there's the fact that wikis are usually so loosely structured that users feel really confused. As long as there is a doc team, why not just set up a new user docs-only site with a simple-to-navigate CMS and call it the official ubuntu guide? If people are going to wet their pants if they can't edit a page, let them leave a comment or sign up to be on the doc team. If this isn't possible, let's at least have a "New users click here for the manual" link above all the "You too can edit wiki pages!" self-gratifying snarf on the home page. EndOfRant

the Wiki isn't organised well... it's really hard to find stuff...

surely some CMS's can be set up to work Wiki style?

[Burgundavia]

The wiki has been neglected by us recently. This is now coming to an end. We are also working on getting our official help that is shipped with the distro to a new webspace as well.

And as for CamelCase, I wish it would go away too, but I don't have enough clout.

Corey

[az]

Have you seen this?

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation

There is also

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/forum

But the first link is way better. The goal is for forum staff to encourage people to use and contribute back to the wiki. We will get on this shortly, just as soon as we get our act together.

Think contests.....

[az]

I get up for five minutes and twelve people post before I do....

What the heck is CamelCase? Like, where does the word ComeFrom?

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=31094

*That* is a taget of opportunity for a wiki porting contest. RastaMahata should get a prize right off the bat..

[UbuWu]

Originally Posted by azz What the heck is CamelCase? Like, where does the word ComeFrom?

The CamelCase name comes from the uppercase "bumps" in the middle of the compound word, suggesting the humps of a camel.

ThatIsWhatWikipediaHasToSayAboutIt.

Seriously, I really don't get it why it is still being used. Might have been very useful for the first wiki's that existed, but it should have been abandoned a long time ago, especially on a site that should be helpful to new users, that probably haven't even heard of the name wiki.

[poofyhairguy]

Originally Posted by maruchan Does anybody else hesitate to refer new users to the wiki?

Depends. Some of the wiki pages are well written (like the synaptic howto). But unlike the guide, I would never say "look in the wiki for your answer."

The wiki REALLY needs a page like this:

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=31094

[Burgundavia]

It does;

http://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation

Corey

[maruchan]

Originally Posted by burgundavia The wiki has been neglected by us recently. This is now coming to an end.

So the wiki is closing down, or what?

Originally Posted by poofyhairguy The wiki REALLY needs a page like this: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=31094

That is one awesome forum post.

[poofyhairguy]

Originally Posted by Burgundavia http://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation

That link should be at the top of the Ubuntu.com home page.