Re: Linux for Dummies

On Fri, 06 Apr 2007 23:58:01 +0000, Don H wrote:

Came across this book the other day, written by Dee-Ann LeBlanc, complete
with disk (which didn't help me all that much; but that's not the author's
fault).
"Linux for Dummies" or the "Idiot's Guide to.." Why are these manuals
named so? Presumably, they don't leave out any steps in the instruction
process - which more intelligent or knowageable readers don't need.
But what about a book for the Complete Cretin (me?). Couldn't be
written, as Murphy's Law becomes, to the CC - "In anything can go wrong,
I'll make sure it does!"
Which brings me to the main point - "Is it possible to make, not only a
fool-proof system (of whatever kind), but a water-tight or fail safe system?
This would be CC-proof.

Nothing can be made idiot proof - they're too damned creative.

Take loading Linux onto a computer, which I've failed to do, so far.
Assume no knowledge, on behalf of the purchaser of any disk or package.
Also, assume the mug involved won't read the instructions properly, and is
full of dogmatic assumptions, and other false ideas. Step-by-step
instructions need then to be backed up by pop-ups, eg. "Is this what you
really intend?" "Wrong way, go back!" and "We ain't gonna let you do this!"
Menus would have added notes on them, not left blank.
Such procedures might be quite a challenge to programmers, but no more
so than what is involved in contesting a too easily-cracked root password?
But to get back to Dee-Ann's worthy book. She had to contend with the
many species of the genus Linux, eg. on page 338 (chosen at random): Fedora,
Knoppix, Linspire, Mandriva, SuSE, Xandros, and Ubuntu.
Well, I intend to wade through this 422-page volume; not that it'll make
much difference - where I'm concerned. (I believe there is an encylopedic
equivalent available.)
I've managed to get a "live" DVD-disk version of Linux working alright,
so will scrap the idea of hard disk installation.

.

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