Learning about Connect openSUSE

It seems that not many people are aware of Connect openSUSE service, that was created by Boosters team while ago, and consequently they don't know what they miss.

In the wiki page about it there is more about technical details then about social aspects, which is not surprising:

• Guys that created it are technicians, software developers, that know how to handle code and have a lot to say about it, but they seldom have great popularization skills, like marketing guys. I like this way, as being popular in the software world doesn't relate always to a good code, 
• Wiki article was written when Connect was in initial stages without many add on features (plugins) it has now, so it is time to take a new look at it. 

For instance, until today I didn't know that I can fix my dashboard page layout the way I want, and it is just "Edit page" button away, which is at the bottom right. The page is available to logged in users as Dashboard link in the top right corner, right before the log in name. 

It would be awesome if more people will go there, try it and:

• Comment on existing layout and features. 
• Propose new ones, specially if you, or someone that you know, can code and come up with working solution, or at least something that is easy to adjust to Connect.

Social aspects of Connect are great when you consider how hard is to find similar souls and start something in project as large as openSUSE, and Connect offers easy search for them, located on the top right, the same spot on the every server in openSUSE domain. Type in term, like "wiki" you you are very close to wiki related stuff, including my favorite Wiki maintainers group :) 

Discovering Connect openSUSE

Today I created a group for wiki maintainers on openSUSE Connect web page that I like to call Connect openSUSE.

 Connect openSUSE is a hub helping people with different interests within openSUSE to find each other and connect in interest groups. There is relatively old wiki article about Connect that was created in very early stages, and talks more about technical aspects and some plans then social benefits that we can have from place like Connect.

Group is meant as a place where we can publish events and group contact information in one place. It will make easy for new openSUSE users that look for some activity,  or want to give idea how to improve wiki, to find and contact us by simply typing "wiki" in the Connect search. 

It is idea that is just started so we will for sure try to improve on it.
Here is announcement to opensuse-wiki mail list.

Is openSUSE for users with a little computer knowledge

or Protective vs. overprotective

One post on opensuse@opensuse.org made me think about what makes openSUSE a bit hard to chew for new computer users.

In particular the post was about NTFS usage.
There is a short article how to fix default settings:
http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:NTFS

openSUSE default settings are a safe for users with very little computer knowledge. You have to be a root in order to write to partition that is formatted with NTFS. 

Background:

Windows protects its system files from deletion, but only when it is controlling the system. When user is accessing partition with installed windows from Linux, that protection does not exist, so one can overwrite or delete important files preventing Windows from starting.

Restrictive settings that allow only root to write there are some protection, not very sophisticated, but it prevents users without basic knowledge to damage their windows, at least to the moment they discover power of root :)

Problem is that any other NTFS file system is not writable too, which forces users to either learn workarounds, or leave Linux. Taking that people with a little computer knowledge already demonstrated lack of interest in computer internals, second option is probably the most used one, unless they find Linux that is not overprotective.

Problem is similar to UAC in Vista. It failed because it was producing too many times warnings to make computer use comfortable.

Linux airlines

From friendly blog  via Planet openSUSE   here is part of the old Linux joke.

 .... Disgruntled employees of all the other OS airlines decide to start their own airline. They build the planes, ticket counters, and pave the runways themselves. They charge a small fee to cover the cost of printing the ticket, but you can also download and print the ticket yourself. When you board the plane, you are given a seat, four bolts, a wrench and a copy of the Seat-HOWTO.html. Once settled, the fully adjustable seat is very comfortable, the plane leaves and arrives on time without a single problem, the in-flight meal is wonderful. You try to tell customers of the other airlines about the great trip, but all they can say is, "You had to do what with the seat?"

Heh, if that would be so simple like installing a seat, but it is very close, which every openSUSE user can confirm :)