We NEED more NOOBS on Linux!

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I think it's time to talk about the Linux noobs. Specifically, how much we need them to keep being relevant, and improve. Let's start !

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First thing is, everyone that starts using Linux is a noob at some point. The term can be used to imply lack of skill, but basically it means a beginner, a newcomer. So, basically, we need noobs because we need new people to start using Linux.

Why? Because it is important, I think, to promote free software and Linux. It is crucial that people realize that proprietary operating systems are actually hurting their computing experience, and turning them into juicy bits of data to be collected, and sold to advertisers. So the end goal should be to try and get more people to use Linux and open source software, and that means more noobs.

We need new points of view

It's easy to lose track of what's easy, what's simple, and what's acceptable in a computing experience. I, for one, am not a great judge of what is easy and simple in Linux, because I've been using it on and off since 2006, and full time since 2018. I know the command line, I can script, I know where to find answers, how the system works an generally how components interact with each other. I'm no expert, but I know enough that I can quickly fix a problem.

A noob doesn't, and that's a good thing. the newcomer can give a new outlook on our operating system of choice, or on the software we use everyday. We got used to their quirks, to some amount of issues and the strategies to avoid them. These guys are not, and as such can offer a very valuable critic or opinion on what works for them and what doesn't, and what is an acceptable compromise, and what isn't.

We need these new points of view to improve. Long time users have gotten used to the quirks and don't notice them anymore, and we need the noobs to remind us of them.

We need to create better documentation and help

Most open source projects already have a pretty good documentation base, but sometimes, it takes the user's technical knowledge for granted. For example, when we post "just type sudo apt install steam" as an answer to someone who wants to install Steam on a debian base ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qx6Hly33_E