Do you have a "cheat sheet" for helping users?

[aysiu]

For all you helpers out there, what do you use to help? When I first started helping new users, I used to do Google searches to find good links to give them. Pretty soon, I realized I was Googling and linking to the same links over and over again.

So I created a folder in my bookmarks for Linux resources that I frequently access and link to. If you're interested in importing it to your browser (it's currently in Firefox format, but I think that can translate), I've put it here:

http://www.psychocats.net/linux/resources.html

Do others have "cheat sheets"? How do you store them? Any links you'd add to my list?

[Kapre]

I search in the forum first (so as not to waste time googling). If there is none in the forum then google is the friend.

K

[basketcase]

Great source of links. Imported on my linux box.

[skoal]

Invaluable! Grade A stuff, aysiu. I had been working on something similiar. After responding to so many of the same posts here, you're almost able to recite the entire URL link from rote memory, like an SSN or DL. I haven't gotten to that point yet though, fortunately...

Great compilation. Eventually, I'd like to be able to recite this song from rote memory too, "Hi ho! Hi ho! Off to the Wiki I go..." Hopefully, I'll migrate my collection there as well. We _all_ need to beef that thingy up a bit.

By the way, what I can't recall from memory, I deploy from "Search v" (see above)...

\\//_

[Wolki]

Do others have "cheat sheets"? How do you store them?

I'm just building one. I have a lot in memory (both mine and my browser's adress bar history ^^;;; ), but if I need certain links often I've started to put them on a Tomboy page.

[aysiu]

It may seem like one of those "I'll get around to it things," but honestly, at a certain point, I just created a folder in my bookmarks manager, and every time I answered someone with a link I've used more than once, I just clicked "Bookmark this page" and put it in that folder. After a while, it really started to accumulate.

For the curious, I also spend some time on LinuxQuestions. That's why there are so many non-Ubuntu-related links in there.

[Dr. Nick]

Clever Idea Ill have to import that list, Im still learning some of the finer aspects of linux but have been using it for about 4 or so years here and there, started at mandrake 8, but have been using Ubuntu almost exclusively on my laptop and desktop for close to a year maybe.

The few questions ive answered thus far have just been from memory or a quick forum search, one of the reoccuring ones is the lack of resoulition choices, maybe if I get a few minutes tomorrow ill search the wiki for it if no solution it their make a little write up for it.

[aysiu]

one of the reoccuring ones is the lack of resoulition choices, maybe if I get a few minutes tomorrow ill search the wiki for it and if not make a little write up for it. I like this one (http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=129379&postcount=21) because it covers a whole bunch of different options and methods.

[landotter]

fantastico!!

I imported it into my bookmarks.

Hats off to you!

[heimo]

:) Great topic aysiu. Funny how similar methods we're using. I have a bookmarks folder full of links (~30) to guides and posts and these useful searches on bookmarks toolbar:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/FindPage
http://packages.ubuntu.com/

Let's see... best bookmarks...

Generic:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=53050
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UserDocumentation

Screen resolution problems:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=129379&postcount=21

Custom repository:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=42862

FAQ:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RootSudo
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DMA

Command line help:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BasicCommands
http://linuxcommand.org/

[gflores]

Cool, that's very useful. I used to have something similar when I browsed the Mozillazine forums. One of the links you have will hopefully help me solve my screen resolution problems in SUSE 10. So, thank you. :)

[Dr. Nick]

I like this one (http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=129379&postcount=21) because it covers a whole bunch of different options and methods.


Um Wow.....
Yeah alot more indepth than I would have written, their is only one think I think I would add to that and that is a bit more instruction in dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
Thanks for the link that is being bookmarked :)

EDIT
Hehe silly me its already in your list, blame it on the lack of sleep

[ubuntu_demon]

nice thread aysiu!

I just know some stuff and otherwise I look it up on the forums/wiki/ubuntuguide and sometimes I use google for it.

[SilentCacophony]

I have also found myself beginning to collect links for that purpose. I'm still learning myself, but I've been helping with topics that I feel comfortable with my level of knowledge in. I also use site-specific google searches on the forums and wiki fairly often, and have found solutions to any problem that I have personally had by intelligent 'googling'.

Does anyone else ever find themselves purposefully misconfiguring thier own setup in order to find and post solutions to a beginner's problem? I've done that a few times, and usually find that there are a few different ways to do most anything. It's good experience, in any case. ;)

What I find frustrating is those who post something along the lines of "I tried to install ubuntu, and it went BOOM! What do I do????" ;) They usually prove to be difficult to help.

One thing I hope to do, sometime after Breezy is officially released, is begin an undetarking to install Breezy under a number of different configurations (single, dual, triple boot with different versions of Windows and Linux,) and also experiment with trying it under improper bios settings, recording my experiences in order to make a comprehensive guide. It seems to me that bios issues could definatley use more coverage.

[aysiu]

I have also found myself beginning to collect links for that purpose. I'm still learning myself, but I've been helping with topics that I feel comfortable with my level of knowledge in. I also use site-specific google searches on the forums and wiki fairly often, and have found solutions to any problem that I have personally had by intelligent 'googling'. My favorite search is

site:ubuntuforums.org howto whatevertheproblemis



Does anyone else ever find themselves purposefully misconfiguring thier own setup in order to find and post solutions to a beginner's problem? I've done that a few times, and usually find that there are a few different ways to do most anything. It's good experience, in any case. ;) Hm. I haven't thought to do that because I'm not confident enough that I'd be able to fix the problem.



What I find frustrating is those who post something along the lines of "I tried to install ubuntu, and it went BOOM! What do I do????" ;) They usually prove to be difficult to help. Yes, with these people it's like pulling teeth, but I just take a deep breath and think, "Hey, they're frustrated--got to be patient."



One thing I hope to do, sometime after Breezy is officially released, is begin an undetarking to install Breezy under a number of different configurations (single, dual, triple boot with different versions of Windows and Linux,) and also experiment with trying it under improper bios settings, recording my experiences in order to make a comprehensive guide. It seems to me that bios issues could definatley use more coverage. Sounds great. Let us know how that turns out.

[skoal]

Does anyone else ever find themselves purposefully misconfiguring thier own setup in order to find and post solutions to a beginner's problem?
Been there. Done that. Got the reinstall T-shirt!

\\//_

[cowlip]

Re: SilentCacophony, yes I also collect links (bookmarks), for my own use when I install ubuntu and on this forum. I don't know how people who use INternet explorer can function, because bookmarks are a killer there.