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== Communicating as a user: finding the community and getting help ==
* [[/User communication|User communication]]
'''Pre-requisites''': IRC client installed. Web browser installed.
'''Learning objectives''': Know about the common real-time-ish communication tools used by projects (IRC, mailing lists (including Google Groups)). Be able to join IRC channels. Have a sense of etiquette on IRC channels and mailing lists. Be able to read mailing list threads and find answers embedded in them. Understand that idling is a good thing, especially when waiting for an answer. Understand how to search pipermail/mailman archives. Understand that most projects have a -users and -devel separation in mailing lists, and know when to use each one. Understand how to find answers to e.g. Ubuntu programs via Googling and finding them on e.g. a StackExchange-type site. Learn about Linux Users Groups and any existing ones in the community.
(Generally, be able to [http://catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html ask questions the smart way].)
'''Group discussion'''
* Start by showing a program that doesn't do what you need. Overall idea: where are the humans on the planet who can help?
* What are mailing lists like?
** Share a story of getting serious help on a mailing list (e.g. reiserfs+lkml in 2001-ish, or Dovecot, or something else)
** The list is often just the actual developer
*** but that person's presence is actually somewhat remarkable
** Show mailman and Google Groups archives
** Share a story of excellent humor on a list
** Explain digest mode
** Show an example of inline replies
** Show some mailing list spam, and then explain that you must generally join to post
* 5 min digression: Debian's OpenSSL patch, or "How this can all go horribly wrong"
* What happens on IRC?
** Sometimes fast-moving...
*** (animated GIF of unreasonably fast channel)
** User questions
** Developer discussions
** Sometimes slow-moving...
*** screenshot of super slow moving thing
** Explain existence of separate networks
* 5 min: How you can help yourself
** Googling the problem
** Searching bug trackers for the issue, and discovering workarounds
** Showing up on IRC and just listening
* 5 min: General help communities
** linuxquestions.org
** Local groups! (LUGs, computer clubs, etc.)
*** Show an example of people in other countries posting to SF groups
** The Gentoo and Arch Linux wiki (even though they're supposedly specific)
** Stack Overflow, and how it influenced Debian and Ubuntu's "ask" community
* Cultural example: Debian's emphasis on email for development over IRC
'''Individual work'''
* (Does not exist yet) IRC training mission, or an equivalent suggested run-through of how to use IRC
* Rank various email help-request subject lines in quality, and compare with the student next to you
* Find the website of the local linux users group (e.g. Philadelphia's PLUG) and join the IRC channel for it and say hello
'''Assessment elements'''
* The IRC training mission has its own assessment elements.
* We can idle in the IRC channel of the local LUG
* Student next to you discusses rankings
== Ethics and history of open source; and economics and licensing that support it ==
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