ubuntu-manual team mailing list archive

[Thorsten Wilms <t_w_@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi!

Assembled from Saturday's meeting and tweaked a bit:


Target Audience
===============

Note: Data is better then guesswork. Guesses are better than being
aimless or working with hidden assumptions (where everyone might have
his own set).

Short description: Pragmatic novice computer users.

Background / prior knowledge:
 * Readers must be able to get to our document, so the most basic
computer skills can and have to be expected (being handed a printout
made by someone else is unlikely to become a common case).
 * Prior exposure to Windows is likely. To Mac OS much less so.
 * Might start without knowing much or anything about Linux and Ubuntu.
 * Likely to not have a good conceptual model of the computer and
software, e.g. not differentiating between a browser and the Internet or
being aware of specific pieces of hardware.

Mindset:
 * Just get things done, using the computer is no end in itself.

Common interests / tasks:
 * Email
 * Web browsing
 * Instant messaging
 * Watch videos
 * Read and write letters and documents
 * Viewing and editing Photos (organising as a consequence)
 * Listen to Music (also collect, buy, organise)
 * Printing
Audio and video editing, vector graphics and 3D would widen the scope
too much.

Age:
 * We have anecdotes of people reaching up to 80 years of age starting  
   out with a computer.
 * Up to about 25: unlikely to have the patience to read documentation, 
   preferring exploration and/or asking friends and siblings. 
   Alternatively well versed using Google or using forums.
 * Assume a peak of potential users in the range of 30 to 60 years of 
   age.
 * Poll on age at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=8113928. 
   Overlap between forum users and potential readers is unclear.

Gender:
 * No reason to expect a significant skew, just think about both.


Context
=======

Readers might consult the manual before or after installing (or having
it be installed) Ubuntu.

Where might readers find the document or be made aware of it:
 * As part of the distribution itself, if we are very successful
   * Being mentioned in the installation slideshow
 * ubuntu.com, if we are successful
 * Ubuntu download page
 * Announcement on digg, twitter ...
 * "Read this first" thread on the forum
 * Our own website, eventually
 * Found via Google
 * Provided by the nice person who helped with the computer

Besides a PDF, there shall also be a HTML version.

The look of Ubuntu 10.04 will be part of the context. However, audience
and message for the official Ubuntu presentation are unknown, providing
no reason for a strong tie-in. The Ubuntu logo and traditional color use
are all the cues we can take.


Tone and Message
================

What style/tone should we aim for, what should be the message both about
our document and Ubuntu?

We are:
 * Competent
 * Friendly
 * Respectful
 * Goal oriented
 * Serious

Ubuntu is:
 * Solid, secure, trustworthy
 * Capable 
 * Easy to use
 * Empowering
 * About community (altruistic and pragmatic aspects)
 * About FLOSS (an ideal with clear benefits but also points of
conflict)

Don't try to be witty, it doesn't translate well. Avoid marketing speak
and being judgemental.

Simple language. This document is from everyday people for everyday
people

Also see:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-manual/StyleGuide#Voice

------------------------------------------

Up next: 2 title proposals with pros/cons.


-- 
Thorsten Wilms

thorwil's design for free software:
http://thorwil.wordpress.com/