Have You Bookmarked The NewDocs Link ?

[BlinkinCat]

Hi all,

On 19/02/13 NewDocs reached a Ranking of 7 in Google in the USA.

What is NewDocs ?

NewDocs consists of the Most Popular Regularly Opened Ubuntu Documentation Pages.

By way of introduction I will post NewDocs here - https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NewDocs

At present the Community Documentation consists of 4,000 pages on one long file. This is why the initial download time on TitleIndex typically can take between 20 and 28 seconds to load. The other main disadvantage of TitleIndex is because as it is on such a long file, the scrolling is very awkward. Review TitleIndex yourself here - https://help.ubuntu.com/community/TitleIndex

NewDocs on the other hand at present has only 678 pages but these cover between 85 - 90 % of Documentation pages that are searched for. Typically, it takes between 4 - 5 seconds to load which is a huge improvement.

Bashing-om's assessment can be seen here -
http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=12508477&postcount=23

So I would very much appreciate your assessment of NewDocs. Have a good look at the two methods and let me know what you think.

Cheers - BlinkinCat - :)

EDIT : Actual post first referring to Google Ranking of 7 is in Post #16

[BlinkinCat]

Hi all,

To summarize using NewDocs as a Referral Tool.

If you find yourself in the situation that you wish to recommend Ubuntu Documentation, You may find it convenient to Print out a copy of NewDocs. You will find that the Alphabetical page documents readily lend themselves to printing.

There is just no comparison here with TitleIndex which simply does not have a layout suitable for printing.

The total NewDocs printout would I believe take something in the order of the low fifties in terms of page numbers. These pages could easily be set out in a File suitable for easy reference. It would then just be a relatively simple matter of referring the prospective enquirer to the Alphabetical page listing to enable him or her to study the subject in some depth via the Ubuntu Documentation. For example. the user would be provided with the Bookmark link to NewDocs plus the Page Listing Number. Keep in mind that once you have NewDocs, you have access to 678 pages of Ubuntu Documentation on ONE Bookmark.

* Please Note - Any proposed future alterations to NewDocs will be announced in the "Alterations" Page at A2. By checking on the early days of a month, you will be sure of having an accurate copy. It is very possible that alterations may be only be on one or two pages, meaning you won't have to print out a complete list every time.

Cheers - BlinkinCat - :)

[BlinkinCat]

Hi all,

A bit heavy for the Cafe huh ? But I'd really like to talk about it.

The Link to the Alteration Page located at A2 of NewDocs is here -
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AlterationsToNewDocs

And again NewDocs - https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NewDocs

Unless you are using NewDocs as a referral tool there is no need to print out pages, all you need do is to Bookmark it. You then have ready access to 678 Ubuntu Documentation Pages. That could mean a considerable saving on your Bookmark spaces. I consider that NewDocs could also prove to be a valuable learning tool for Newbies.

I suggest that you simply have a play with NewDocs to see how easy it is to navigate compared to TitleIndex. That is not to say there is not a place for TitleIndex, there is. On the rare occasions that NewDocs doesn't come up with the page you want, there is a link for TitleIndex on the front-page of NewDocs on which you will with some effort, find your page.

I would welcome any discussion regarding NewDocs.

Cheers - BlinkinCat - :)

[ibjsb4]

I like the indexing and will be using this in the future to navigate. Good job :)

[BlinkinCat]

I like the indexing and will be using this in the future to navigate. Good job :)

Thanks for your kind words ibjsb4,

It may seem complex at first but it is really meant to produce an user friendly alternative to TitleIndex.

Thanks and cheers - :p

[BlinkinCat]

Hi all,

I have come to several conclusions.

1. Over a number of days, as I have not received any criticisms regarding NewDocs, I should be encouraged.

2. The two users supporting NewDocs have appeared to be quite keen with their praise, therefore I should be further encouraged.

3. I should be content with the favorable reaction from several staff members.

4. Although there has not been a large number of replies to this thread, I am making an assumption that many of the "Views" could be a positive thing. Viewers could be downloading the NewDocs link to their systems. Are you going to, or have you downloaded the link ?

What do you think ? Particularly with regard to Item 4.

Cheers - :P

[sammiev]

Interesting. I just spent 10 mins looking at a few of the Docs, I will use it again. Thanks :)

[ibjsb4]

I think you need to start a advertising campaign :)

[BlinkinCat]

Interesting. I just spent 10 mins looking at a few of the Docs, I will use it again. Thanks :)

Many thanks for your encouragement sammiev - :P

As users report potential new links, performance will only improve. It is quite a task going through the 4,000 links manually in TitleIndex finding more, so I thought it best to rely on users to report them as they found them.

Cheers - ):P

[BlinkinCat]

I think you need to start a advertising campaign :)

Yes, perhaps you're right ibjsb4 - It would be lovely if there was a link somewhere on the Forums, but perhaps that is hoping for too much. I see the main objective now is to come up with reliability and let people judge it on it's merits.

Cheers - :)

[alexfish]

Looks Like the Mobile Broadband is a tad out of date


BR

Alex

[BlinkinCat]

Looks Like the Mobile Broadband is a tad out of date


BR

Alex

Hi alexfish,

My normal criteria for leaving links in would be if they had been updated within the last 18 months. The last edit to that link was on 1/1/12.

Any links left in that are older than that, a decision has to be made as to whether it is likely that the information enclosed is still valid.

It is very difficult to know what to leave in and what to take out, but that has been the basis I have used so far. Perhaps there is a case for adding a warning that some of the information being dated, should be treated with caution. I would appreciate any feedback as to how best to answer this problem.

Thank you - :)

Edit : Would this Link be fitting ? Although dated ?
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MobileWirelessBroadband

By the methods I have outlined, I would put this link into NewDocs if it was recommended by a user. Say the word alexfish and it will be listed in NewDocs on 1/3/13 P.M. not necessary.

[alexfish]

Hi alexfish,

My normal criteria for leaving links in would be if they had been updated within the last 18 months. The last edit to that link was on 1/1/12.

Any links left in that are older than that, a decision has to be made as to whether it is likely that the information enclosed is still valid.

It is very difficult to know what to leave in and what to take out, but that has been the basis I have used so far. Perhaps there is a case for adding a warning that some of the information being dated, should be treated with caution. I would appreciate any feedback as to how best to answer this problem.

Thank you - :)


Edit : Would this Link be fitting ? Although dated ?
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MobileWirelessBroadband

By the methods I have outlined, I would put this link into NewDocs if it was recommended by a user. Say the word alexfish and it will be listed in NewDocs on 1/3/13 P.M. not necessary.

Think the new link will do :: the important bit is the usb modeswitch , as for newer types of devices 4g , post 2011 , if not recognised by the system then best to visit usb modeswitch forum , the only caveat here is to warn against installing the usb modeswitch from the site , Ubuntu uses its own scripts to init the switching ,

Josh will give guidance as what to do

Draisberghof - Software - USB_ModeSwitch (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=usb%20modeswitch&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.draisberghof.de%2Fusb_modeswi tch%2F&ei=FlwhUfiPHc2IhQfi0YGoAQ&usg=AFQjCNHXRDd_7g_A3ekgGQ2d_tARDOR6iA&bvm=bv.42553238,d.ZG4)



BR


Alex

[BlinkinCat]

Think the new link will do :: the important bit is the usb modeswitch , as for newer types of devices 4g , post 2011 , if not recognised by the system then best to visit usb modeswitch forum , the only caveat here is to warn against installing the usb modeswitch from the site , Ubuntu uses its own scripts to init the switching ,

Josh will give guidance as what to do

Draisberghof - Software - USB_ModeSwitch (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=usb%20modeswitch&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.draisberghof.de%2Fusb_modeswi tch%2F&ei=FlwhUfiPHc2IhQfi0YGoAQ&usg=AFQjCNHXRDd_7g_A3ekgGQ2d_tARDOR6iA&bvm=bv.42553238,d.ZG4)



BR

Alex



Thanks very much for your input alexfish,

From what you say, it will be in order for me to put in the suggested alternative page on 1/3/13. Regarding technical issues, this at times is outside the range of my expertize. If you consider that the Wiki needs clarification, I would suggest that you have it updated to reflect a more accurate reading of the situation.

Once the NewDocs site settles down, with the majority of errors weeded out, it will depend on the expertize of the end-user in deciding whether a page stays or is removed.

Having considered the situation again I decided to go along with the PM idea regarding adding pages. I am quite happy to take this role on. In the future this responsibility could be given to someone else. I rewrote the "alterations" page. Find it here -
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AlterationsToNewDocs
It should prove to be quite workable.

NewDocs already on it's first page has a reference to adding Tags for obsolete pages.

I hope this makes sense.


Cheers - :)

[BlinkinCat]

NewDocs is a List of the Most Popular Regularly Opened Ubuntu Documentation Pages.

The very latest version is in my signature.
Feel free to Bookmark it!

It is suggested that you give it a try out before voting on the Poll.


Recommendations :

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=12508477&postcount=23

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=12512786&postcount=4

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=12514796&postcount=7

[BlinkinCat]

Hi all,

Today I wish to inform you that I have just created a Poll at -
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2117467

Feel free to Vote on whether you have Bookmarked NewDocs or not. Rather than adding further posts here, it may be more convenient for you to add a post on the Poll thread with your impressions of NewDocs.

Yesterday I Improved the Facepage of NewDocs and also upgraded the Alterations page at A2.

NewDocs may be found here - Feel free to Bookmark it.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NewDocs

For your convenience , I would like to mention the recommendations again -

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=12508477&postcount=23

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=12512786&postcount=4

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=12514796&postcount=7


Best wishes to you all,

BlinkinCat - :P

[ibjsb4]

I vote yes :)

[BlinkinCat]

Hi all,

As there appears on the Poll some confusion regarding what "NewDocs" is, I thought I would add this link back to the "NewDocs Ranks 7 in Google" thread, which hopefully will go some of the way to enlightening you.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2115770

NewDocs is really a worthwhile tool to the extent that a number of members are now including it in their signatures.

NewDocs will really prove itself as being worthwhile with the ability of supplying you with 678 pages (and counting) of Ubuntu Documentation. This it achieves with the huge space saving advantage of supplying it all on one Bookmark.

With kind regards,
BlinkinCat - :)

[tgalati4]

A real benefit is that searching for answers within the forums or old documentation would bring up lots of irrelevant hits. With NewDocs, the community has cleaned up (and continues to clean up) the documentation, with current fix-it procedures for the latest Ubuntu distros. New users should spend some time with NewDocs. It will make navigating around Ubuntu easier.

[BlinkinCat]

Hi all,

Today in the USA, NewDocs reached a ranking of 7 in Google.

http://unit193.ninth.su/newdocs.png

This an outstanding result in such a short time. Whether that ranking is maintained remains to be seen, nevertheless it indicates that all bodes well for the future of NewDocs.

Bookmark your copy of NewDocs via the link in my signature.

Record your vote via the Poll Thread on whether you Bookmarked NewDocs here -
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2117467

Any comments you may have would probably best be served by posting on the Poll Thread rather than here. Having said that, if you wish to make your views known about how you found NewDocs compared to TitleIndex, by all means post here too!

With kind regards,
BlinkinCat - :)

p.s. To this stage it is anticipated that 5 pages will be added to the NewDocs database on 1/3/13.

[lisati]

Thread title & poll name edited.

[BlinkinCat]

Hi Lisati,

You guys and girls have been very kind to me lately - and so quickly too.

I made a very basic mistake with that name - It was probably early in the morning that I came up with it. I have been having a few early mornings lately - and expect to have a few more.

The new name hopefully will avoid some confusion.

Many thanks again,

BlinkinCat - :D

[BlinkinCat]

Hi all,

I checked this morning and found that the NewDocs ranking in the Australian version of Google was 3. Very encouraging!

The additions to the NewDocs Listing so far this month are -

Ubuntu Forums
Forum Council
Forums / Membership
Forum_Staff
Mobile Wireless Broadband

I will be including these additions in the database on 1/03/13.

I suggest that you Bookmark the NewDocs Link in my signature and if you wish to record your vote and/or comments in the Poll Thread the link is here - http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2117467

If you wish to make a comparative comment regarding how you found NewDocs to perform, particularly when compared to TitleIndex, by all means add a post here.

With kind regards,
BlinkinCat - :p

[castrojo]

Hey how do you pick which pages to put in NewDocs?

Do you have any traffic data from Canonical IS as to which pages are most trafficked to decide what to put on there, etc.?

[MG&TL]

Pretty nice, good work!

[BlinkinCat]

Hey how do you pick which pages to put in NewDocs?

Do you have any traffic data from Canonical IS as to which pages are most trafficked to decide what to put on there, etc.?

Hi castrojo,

Thanks for your interest.

The initial number (with some weeding out) was based on the top 450 Page Hits derived from "Site Navigation" of TitleIndex. I then manually went through the TitleIndex and included other pages that I considered should be in the database. (Using personal judgement.)

The method may not be purely scientific, but what we have ended up with is I feel a good basis for starting with. NewDocs ultimately will depend on the expertize of the end user regarding making a judgement on whether a page should be included or not.

As for removing pages, that will depend on the "Tag" method currently used for TitleIndex.

I hope that helps -

Regards,
BlinkinCat - :D

[BlinkinCat]

Pretty nice, good work!

Thanks very much for your kind comments MG&TL.

They are very much appreciated.

Regards,

BlinkinCat - :D

[BlinkinCat]

Bump - :p

[Elfy]

merged

[Linuxratty]

It is officially in Linux Internationale's sticky bit of great Linux links.:)

[BlinkinCat]

It is officially in Linux Internationale's sticky bit of great Linux links.:)

Well that is extremely generous of you Linuxratty - Thank you - :P

I reckon we have similar goals - The unwieldy aspect of TitleIndex needed an improvement. It is a bit of a battle making it all happen but we will get there.

With kind regards,
BlinkinCat - :)

[Linuxratty]

You are welcome.
We need stuff like this,so thank you for posting the link.

[scouser73]

I didn't but have now.

[BlinkinCat]

Hi scouser73

Thank you very much for your response.

A decision has been made to let the thread expire. I am only responding now because I was nearby. This decision has been made for a number of reasons, not least of which is the fact that the Cafe is not an ideal venue for this thread subject. However the future of NewDocs is assured and by allowing more time for the design of the Wiki, ultimately NewDocs will benefit.

Edit : Please do not reply to this thread - Any further discussion can be found on the Wiki discussion thread at -
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2110857

Cheers -
BlinkinCat - :p

[carla2013]

Yes, I bookmarked the NewDocs URL

[slickymaster]

@BlinkinCat

Already have done it a few days ago. Just came by to congratulate you for the fabulous job you did that will help the entire Ubuntu/Linux community for sure.