Re: Interactive guide for new users

[Eduardo Mercovich]

Hello Eli.

[...]

> > 1- Let's collect a list of all the proposed preferences, by any member of
> > this list (to start). Everyone is invited to propose as many as it
> > wants. 

> I suggest that you start the ball rolling by posting a list of options
> you think we should consider (in a separate discussion topic, please).

My area of expertise is not programming, so I can hardly propose what a
programmer may find useful to configure. I can only propose what I
-personally- find useful (and that list is already done).

And I believe this is true for many in the Emacs community; don't we
value Emacs incredible plasticity and ability to be adapted to each
person's way of thinking and doing? 

That's why I proposed a *process* to do it: we can all add our voices (all
that are interested, at least) and go forward together because we agreed
on how to do so. 

> Let's discuss how to filter and prioritize the options once we have a
> provisional list and have an idea about its size.

If we do this, we may make a list and then we will stop going forward to
discuss how to filter and prioritize. If we agreed on a process, then
it's all forward steps until the end of the proposed process (of course
anyone can stop and complain at any point, but the probability is
smaller and the rest still can go on while we see what happens). 

Up to now we were unable to do it in the usual way. I only bring another
proposal to proceed which is not mine at all, and has been used with
success in many other communities. 

In brief:

- We want to flatten a bit the learning wall for newcomers and
 make emacs more desirable for them, showing in can be not only
 powerful, but usable from the start and beautiful too.

- We agreed that a "wizard" (set of linear steps with clear options on
 each one) is positive to achieve that objective. 

- There is a proposal for a process to get a generally agreed list of
 variables to include in this wizard. 

- if you find this proposal inadequate please tell me so and I'll just
 add my personal variables and wait. I have no particular problem with
 that.

- But if you see no particular problem now with the proposed steps, I
 beg you to consider the possibility of giving it a try, going forward
 all together. In this case, I will start it in a separate thread and
 make the work to integrate everything as proposed. I will only ask
 about some details regarding tools to use for collaboration (and this
 could be done to the list or with a few people that can help this
 Emacs newbie in order not to make noise in the list).

In each -and any- way, thanks a lot for your kind attention and
understanding. 

Best regards...

--
eduardo mercovich

Donde se cruzan tus talentos 
con las necesidades del mundo, 
ahí está tu vocación. 
(Anónimo)