preparing websites content for Fedora 10

[Máirín Duffy]

Paul W. Frields wrote:
> On Fri, Oct 03, 2008 at 08:32:02AM -0400, Max Spevack wrote:
>> I have always thought that we need something that is the equivalent of  
>> (but obviously rewritten, I'm exaggerating to make a point):
>>
>> "Is this the first time you're trying to install a Linux operating  
>> system and you're completely confused, because no one has ever even told  
>> you that there are different types of computer hardware, and your  
>> machine is from Dell or HP or one of the big vendors?  Then CLICK HERE  
>> and we'll give you something that will probably just work."
>>
>> And we give them the x86 Desktop Live CD.  And we make that really big  
>> and prominent, not hidden at the bottom or off in the corner.
> 
> Thank you for reminding me, because we talked about this months ago in
> Raleigh IIRC.  This should go at the top, and everything else should
> be *HIDDEN* until the user makes a choice:
> 
> "Are you new to Linux?  Are you unsure about your computer's hardware?
> If so, choose 'FOR BEGINNERS' below.  If you feel comfortable giving
> more details, choose 'FOR EXPERTS'."
> 
> New to Linux?  Unsure of      Do you know what kind of
> your computer's hardware?     processor you have, or
> Select this option.           what kind of Fedora you
>                               want?  Select this option. 
> 
>        fedora			    fedora
>    [FOR BEGINNERS] 	         [FOR EXPERTS]

the above looks like a splash screen :( splash screens inconvenience
everybody... no matter which line you're supposed to stand in,
you've got to click, and it absolves the designer from choosing a
default audience to cater to and puts the work on the users of all
audiences instead (both have to read the explanatory text and make
an explicit decision rather than at least half getting right to work
right away).

i think instead of a 'turn left for x, turn right for y' approach we
should just cater to beginners by default because they're beginners
and need it. so by default present the beginner's x86 desktop live
cd download link front and center. then require an additional click
to get to the 'experts' part. (this is the point behind
http://duffy.fedorapeople.org/webdesign/get-fedora/)

~m