There's about a deluge of linux users, but where are the gurus?
 

they're probably browsing these forums.

Why do I think there is about to be a deluge of newbies? because 2004 is the year of desktop linux.

Preamble: I'm sorry I know I'm new to this forum, but I've often found these forums useful for linux help simply through searching it for relevant posts.

Basically I've been a lindows user for sometime now because I got fed up of the dependecy issues of other distros and wasn't feeling like being particually interesting in the workings of my computer at the time, just wanted to get my work done

Main stuff: basically the lindows community is starting to get quite busy, more and more people are using linux through it and facing software, hardware issues and are genereally interested in how linux works. There are only so many technical knowledgable people in the Lindows community. I also can't see any reason why those knowledgable people in the community are just going to start browsing Lindows boards but any help would be really great and magnificent. Basically the outcome of hundreds of desktop linux users joining a community like lindows is that very few will have technical experience and be able to help other users, we're short on gurus and high on newbies. Other than figuring people like myself should read up alittle to help these users I was wondering if there would be a way of tapping the knowledgebase of a place like linuxquestions into somehwere like Lindows and whether this is feasible?

I've posted a thread about this on the lindows forums and wondered if any of you guys had any thoughts on this. You see this strikes me as a community that is all about helping new people to linux. Lindows is a place where there is always a steady influx of linux newbies who need help and advice. However the consequence of that is that there are few experts and their numbers are unlikely to grow as fast as other linux communities.

h**p://forum.linspire.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=218461&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=&vc=1

(sorry about the url but I didn't realise I couldn't post it and I'm not trying to spam I promise)

Cheers

I was wondering if there would be a way of tapping the knowledgebase of a place like linuxquestions into somehwere like Lindows and whether this is feasible?
Welcome to LQ. Since you're new here you might want to check out the LindowsOS forum at LQ.

wow that's absolutely wonderful :)

I think it would be really cool if Lindows posted your forum url on their linux support as another source of support. Issues surrounding this I have higlighted in the thread I created on the lindows forum.

Alternatively I have a really outlandish suggestion about general support that probably won't be popular partly because I'm new :P but hear me out! Basically I think it would be really healthy if there was a way to link some of the posts that are made on the Lindows forum to other forums on the internet so other people can contribute. Are there any modifications currently available for any boardsoftware out there that lets you link topics between boards? I can imagine there'd be some serious issues with usernames etc, but surely such a system is possible?

It would be a great addition to these new linux users. basically when they get their linux distro and get aproblem they just go straight to the lindows board. Maybe the easiest solution would be to post your URL in the support section as a source for extra help? would it be ok for Lindows to do that?

I'll contact Lindows and see if they are interested in providing a link.

--jeremy

Well, even if there are only a very small number of gurus, this is a not necessarily a bad thing, because just as you already described, their absence will be an incentive for current newbies to educate themselves to become gurus. Most technically-minded people I know will wrestle a problem into the ground if it captivates their interest, and eventually will discover the solution on their own, which they will only be too happy to explain (usually in greater detail than is really needed :) In other words, you're concerned that the number of gurus will stay constant in the face of "a deluge" of new users -- I would bet that it won't, simply due to the laws of supply and demand. I agree that there may be a "shortage" of gurus in the short run, but in the long run, the Linux community will be the richer. Just my 2 cents -- J.W.

Aye that's possible :) I just get this feeling alot of new Lindows users are likely to only require technical help. The percentage that actually wants to make their ilfe harder is likely to be quite a small fraction of people signing up. Maybe I'm just being too pessimmistic as I do have friends who take interest in their Windows boxes and don't use linux, so I could quite easily see them taking to linux straight away and contributing back, however, I expect among windows users there are likely to be far more people who will be looking for a windows alternative, that looks and behaves in a similar manner to windows but is cheaper and isn't microsoft.

To be honest I doubt there are many gurus using Lindows so your chances of readily available support is likely to be diminished. You are morelikely to get help by choosing a slightly more traditional distro.

But some of the actual guru's out there usually can help with any distro, not with just one they are familiar with, etc. ;)

PS. IANAG ;)

YMNBAG but you have had Lindows experience ;)
http://www.linuxquestions.org/review...php?product=63

:rolleyes: yes I agree entirely and not to sound condesending but that's the point of the thread, to get Lindows users in touch with guys like you because lindows very nature means there will always be a wide difference between the numbers of users and gurus. :P

I deny it.. its all a hoax. ;)

Involving a place like linux question in Lindows support in however small a wway might act as a good advertisement for the distro you support most. This could generate more users in your respective communities. I think this could be a very positive move overall and maybe even speed up the growth of the linux community.

I have contacted Lindows and they are working on a link now.

--jeremy

Thank you, I think it will have benefits for everyone and can only be positive when a community as friendly as linuxquestions is involved.