Re: Proposed new introductory section to the Gnus manual

[Eric Abrahamsen <eric@ericabrahamsen.net>]

Michael <beriah@opensuse.us> writes:

[...]

>> For instance, what part of my intro (and the other links posted in this
>> thread) was most useful?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Eric
>>
>>
> Ok, here are some thoughts while reading the intro and comments:
>
> I actually laughed, and liked, the "DON"T PANIC", but how about adding
> one sentence with something like, "Here is some brief help to get you 
> started using Gnus". Something brief and easy, before delving into the
> origin of Gnus?

The Info format allows for subheadings, so this could be something like
"Don't Panic:\tYour First Twenty Minutes With Gnus" or something like that.

> "tick" is mentioned a couple of times, but what is a "tick"? At this
> point, would a more generic term suffice, such as "mark" or "flag"
> since this is the intro?

I agree "flag" is likely to be more generally understood.

> I like the improvement comments that others have mentioned and that
> you have agreed with, so no need to add anything to them :)
>
>
> I am very glad for the part mentioning what to type when Gnus has
> started. I do have a "code" comment/question about this. When I start 
> Gnus, I see the menu bar and Gnus mascot/icon/whatever it's called.
> So, how about a line under the menu showing different keyboard keys to
> type, such as "q", "L", "AA", "r or R", "f" and what each means? It
> could be a line that could be removed via customization when the
> experienced user didn't need it there?
>
> A number of times when I would start, I couldn't figure out how to get
> out of where I was at to get back to beginning screen (or wherever).
> So, I would just just quit gnus/emacs and wait some time before trying 
> again. A line similar to above might help newbies when first starting
> if/when they start and get confused and don't know what to do :)

A sort of "quick keys" popup sounds like a great idea. Gnus already
provides a "H" keymap prefix for help-related things, so "H h" could
always pop up the quick keys tips.

Then we could have a customization option to always display the popup.

[btw, "q" is almost always the key you want to "back out of" wherever
you've gotten. This is what I meant by "vim-style tutorial": the most
important information is always how to quit!]

> Thanks for allowing my input.

All input is allowed, but not all input is processed :)