ubuntu-manual team mailing list archive

[Wendy Sheridan <wendy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,
I am brand new to this project (I just heard about it and signed up
yesterday), but I've been working as a tech writer for about 20 years or so
(and a technical illustrator for about 3 years or so). I think I am also a
member of your target audience: I have (significant) computer experience,
but not specifically with Ubuntu. I've done things with Linux (Red Hat), and
even UNIX  and X-Windows at previous jobs, but it's been so long ago that
I've forgotten most or all of it - and I've never installed any of these
OSes before anyway.

How about this (or something like it) for the title:

Ubuntu for Everyone

(if you need to explain specifically what is in this manual, you could also
have a subtitle that gets very specific)

This title is "friendly" and I think brings an emotional component and
certainly embodies inclusiveness.

Best regards,
Wendy Sheridan

-- 
Wendy
---
wendyshandmade.etsy.com
www.wendysheridan.net
www.sheridanmultimedia.com
www.twitter.com/wendydesigns



On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 2:10 AM, Benjamin Humphrey <humphreybc@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> *Todo (not only) for the design team:
>  * Mission statement / strategy
>  * Audience, Context, Tone, Message
>   (tone and message also pertaining Ubuntu)
>  * Title, "Manual" vs ?
>  * Work out possible means of expression regarding the above
>  * Layout considerations
>   * Understanding the current layout and font choices
>   * Work out A4 and Letter layouts, single and double sided (?)
>  * Implementation
>   * Handling title page translation*
> *
> Anything to add?*
> *
> *
> *That sounds good. Perhaps we need to start thinking how we're going to
> handle screenshots too.*
>
> *Mission statement
> =================
>
> To create and deploy[!] a document that is suitable as first point of
> reference regarding the use of Ubuntu by beginner-level users.
>
> In addition to the system software, it shall also discuss a few selected
> applications that are part of the default installation, as there is
> assumed to be a common interest among beginner-level users. [Note: risk
> of scope creep.]
>
> The document shall be ready for the upcoming Ubuntu 10.04 release and be
> updated for every following release (6 month cycle).
>
> The manual is being written and to be maintained by the Ubuntu Manual
> Team.
> *
> *I like the first paragraph. The second one needs to mention that we don't
> *just* cover software in the manual - there are many other things like
> history of ubuntu, philosophy etc.. well, you guys know the ToC. Other than
> that, that's good - it's simpler than my current summary on the wiki front
> page.
> *
> *Justification
> =============
>
> There seem to be no documentation that combines the following desired
> characteristics:
>  * free of charge (also free of advertising)
>  * kept up to date and released in sync with Ubuntu
>  * detailed
>  * written as introduction
>  * highly internally consistent
>  * translated into many languages
>  * community based*
>
> Once again, that's a lot better than the existing documentation. It doesn't
> take a poke at the other doc teams ;)
>
> *Next
> ====
>
> Now I'd like to read everyone's thought on
>  * a closer definition of the target audience
>  * context: how/where/when/why do users come across our document?
>  * What should the title page say, factually and emotionally?
>   About our document and about Ubuntu?
>  * Alternatives to calling it a "Manual"?
>  * Layout and fonts, if you can say something already*
> *
> *
> I think the only way we're going to get a good target audience definition
> is by eliminating who we AREN'T aiming the manual at. So, little kids,
> *very* old people, computer-savvy people, IT gurus, Linux developers, Comp
> Sci students/graduates etc...
>
> ... so that boils down to something like:
>
>  * New people to Computers in general, but who might already have an
> understanding of the keyboard/mouse
>  * Migrants from Windows who haven't really used Linux before or don't know
> what it is
>  * People converting from other desktop environments? (KDE, XFCE etc..
> although they're probably more likely to use Gnome first before KDE)
>
> Feedback?
>
> I think the title page needs to basically say what the document is, who
> it's for, why you'd want to read it, what (manual) version it is, what
> Ubuntu version it's for and who it's written by. But at the same time it
> can't be too cluttered :P
>
> As for emotional - I'm not too sure. I've never thought about
> manuals/publications in an emotional mindset. I would say that it needs to
> be welcoming to all types of people.
>
> Alternatives to calling it a manual? Well, "Ubuntu Quick Start Guide",
> "Ubuntu Beginners Guide", "Ubuntu: A Beginners Guide", "New to Ubuntu? Read
> this!!" etc etc...
>
> Layout and fonts - I am *fairly* certain that our current layout and fonts
> is what we're going to run with. Maybe some refinements with font colours
> and indentation, but overall it looks professional but still welcoming.
>
> Cheers,
> Benjamin
>
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