Ubuntu Wiki

• Launchpad Entry: https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/example-content

• Created: 2005-10-27 by JaneWeideman

• Contributors: HenrikOmma, JaneWeideman, MattZimmerman

• Packages affected:

• See also: DapperExampleContent, EdubuntuStudyPackages, UbuntuFreeCultureShowcase, Brainstorm: Update the Examples Folder

Summary

For each desktop application in the default install where it is practical, we should provide at least one piece of example content. This is valuable for testing, experimentation and demonstration of Ubuntu (especially the live CD). These examples should be small but meaningful, and easily discoverable. For example, when opening Rhythmbox for the first time, there should be an appropriately licensed song available for immediate playback, and gthumb should contain a couple of photos.

Rationale

Currently, most applications come up empty, leaving new users a bit lost.

Use cases

• Jeff likes Ubuntu, and goes to a lot of trade shows doing demos using the Live CD. When he boots a computer using the Live CD, he finds a set of pictures, text files, etc. in the Documents directory, ready to show off some of the coolest features in Ubuntu.
• Daniel has never used a Linux distribution before, but bought a new system with Ubuntu on it. As he's never used any kind of Linux distribution before, he has no idea what he can do with it. As he discovers how to use the system, he will see a few examples of what kinds of things you can actually do with it.

Design

On the desktop, you'll have really useful informational stuff as the content, simple slideshow about why ubuntu rocks, one about the teams, etc.

One side is coming up with a list of file FORMATS, and the kinds of apps we want to document. The next step is finding the actual content. In progress at DapperExampleContent.

We will need at least English language versions.

We need the following types of documents:

• openoffice database is a lot of work, so we'll skip that

We also need to seed some programs with data:

We need to be careful about the content's "tone"! Be as inoffensive as possible.

A good starting point is the Gnome Live CD content. They have list on their wiki: http://live.gnome.org/MarketingTeam_2fExampleMediaFiles

Implementation

• A single package will include all of this content, and deliver it to /usr/share/ubuntu/<something> or /usr/share/doc/example-content/

• symlinks from inside default home document directories? (/etc/skel)
• a *SHOCK HORROR* link on the desktop? (one link? for ALL content?!) (well, the content would be in nice folders under the central /usr/share/blah place)

Outstanding issues

• We will need to discuss about a standard set of bookmarks/a default homepage --> BrowserDefaults

• How do we expose this to users? Provide some default directories in homedirectories! (JeffWaugh: Separate BoF)

  • Even if they can't be in ~, they can be somewhere else and be linked to ~.

• info@ubuntu.com gets a lot of FAQ-like mail, maybe a few of those questions can be answered in the example content.

• We must watch out what kind of content is suitable.Some photos texts or music can offend people in some areas of the world

For the future

• How will we handle translation of the content
  • For dapper: maybe only the English versions, localized/translated/regional versions for dapper+1
• How will we handle regional data (calendars specific for your area, etc.)
• How do we deliver the packages?
  • Maybe a bit like language packs etc.

• CD space is already scarce. There won't be room for 30 different example content packs. <coreyburger> maybe using the current langpacks?

• Impossible to create openoffice files in nautilus

  • <SergejKotliar> perhaps there should be some reasonable amount of templates included by default too?

  • Yes, empty templates are a must, http://bugzilla.ubuntu.com/show_bug.cgi?id=3871

• The main folder should be "Introduction", and should contain tutorial-type info about Ubuntu, and be linked from the Desktop instead of Home. Then the Examples content can be a sub-folder of that.

CategorySpec