iB::Topic::Tweak for the "Getting Started" page

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Topic: Tweak for the "Getting Started" page, Solve the most repeated "help" request.

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cbagger01

Group: Members
Posts: 4264
Joined: Oct. 2003

Posted: Feb. 15 2006,05:53

"Help, please tell me how to remove the getting started window from appearing everytime I start DSL".

Solution #1:

Provide the answer, or tell them to search the forums.

Solution #2:

Create a button at the top of the "getting Started" page and some wording that says "Press this button to prevent this popup from appearing again in the future"

Then if button is pushed, execute script that "touch"es and create a file called $HOME/.nogettingstarted

Then, in .xinitrc, IF file .nogettingstarted EXISTS, then DON'T launch Dillo/gettingstarted automatically.

If the user needs to bring it "back from the dead", we can add a new fluxbox menu item called "getting started" and it will launch dillo and show this page for them.

Good idea?

roberts

Group: Members
Posts: 4983
Joined: Oct. 2003

Posted: Feb. 15 2006,06:17

I will tell you why I haven't done this.

1. Like with Windows the user will instantly "get rid it" and never bother to read it.

2. Then instead of just one question repeatedly asked it will be many questions that will be repeatedly asked.

3. At one time I was thinking to use a "?" icon for help and not start it at boot time. But on some systems a delay is needed for X, icons, and menu to work properly. On some pre-releases I forget and have it commented out, then I am reminded that it is needed. Even though it may well not be needed on your particular system.

There is so much to learn from reading the Getting Started and the hadrware issues is why I have been recluant to do this.

cbagger01

Group: Members
Posts: 4264
Joined: Oct. 2003

Posted: Feb. 15 2006,06:31

Hmm...

Maybe the button should go at the very end of the page so they have to read it first.

Or maybe just add a section called "How to remove this page from automatically starting up again" (no bold text) near the bottom.

This forces the user to actually READ the document before they learn how to make it stop popping up again and again.

It also adds to the SSF (Smug Satisfaction Factor) for people who can now reply to the "help" posters with:

Did you actually READ the thing before asking here?

:laugh:

roberts

Group: Members
Posts: 4983
Joined: Oct. 2003

Posted: Feb. 15 2006,10:56

Now that, I like. Good idea.

Onikage
Unregistered

Posted: Feb. 18 2006,21:17

It doesn't make any sense to alienate former Windows users, by making it difficult to remove annoying popups. That kind of high-handed behavior will simply hold desktop linux off the desktops longer. After all, users DO need support.

So; for any newcomer to DSL, here's how to control the popup...

In the address bar appears the path to where the help page is located.

####### Note: on a live CD this will only be temporary, to permanently fix you will need to remaster your CD with the mkmydsl tool found under...

DSL (menu)
L
Apps
L
Tools
L
Make myDSL CD remaster

---- To Admin: Windows users like visual tree structures

Anyway, to get rid of the popup page the file path should look something like...

file:/usr/share/doc/dsl/getting_started.html

What this address is telling you is that the file (getting_started.html) is in the directory...

/usr/share/doc/dsl/

Which visually looks like:

/
L
usr
L
share
L
doc
L
dsl

The best way is to open up a terminal shell (ATerminal) and type

cd /usr/share/doc/dsl

This takes you to the directory.

Type ls

Which lists the file getting_started.html

Now, this won't stop dillo from starting, but you can always save a new getting_started.html and graphics from a favorite web page, and now you have an autostarting web browser that opens a favorite webpage.

(Might also be useful for when you're reading an html ebook

......... As for the folks who started this topic, shame on you for displaying your rude opinions to newcomers like that.

Quote

The useful master delivers his teachings without making a fuss. While the worthless master delvers his teachings, while trying to make his student feel worthless

37 replies since Feb. 15 2006,05:53

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