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Idea #136: Add a tutorial slideshow to the installation process

bug This idea was marked as implemented the 30 October 09. Available starting Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala.
Written by aysiu the 28 Feb 08 at 18:49. Category: Installation. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: Implemented
Rationale
New users coming from Windows are often disoriented and don't really know the real advantages of Ubuntu or even how to use some of its basic functions (Add/Remove instead of setup.exe). An orientation would help them.

A couple of ideas for how to help them have come up, including an idea about having pop-ups for every new application that's open. The pop-up idea has a few downsides, of course, not the least of which being that pop-ups are annoying to many users, both new and experienced.

One relatively unobtrusive way to introduce new users to the basic functions of Ubuntu is to show a slideshow during the installation process. New users would probably watch the slideshow (they're waiting for the installation to finish--what else are they going to do?), while experienced users might have the option to turn off the slideshow... or they may just get up and leave, knowing that the installation won't take more than fifteen minutes.
Tags: tutorial


Developer comments
A slideshow during the installer was planned for 8.10, but has been deferred to 9.04.

1159
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #136
Written by aysiu the 28 Feb 08 at 18:49.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #136 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

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Ferk wrote on the 28 Feb 08 at 18:55
Instead of integrating it with the installation, I think it would be better to have a link in the desktop to show the slideshow. So you can choose to click it or not.

You can do MANY things while waiting for the installation (like surfing the web) and if you are already an experienced user it can be intrusive.

gavintlgold wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 02:23
It could be a widget inside the installation progress bar window, which goes underneath any other new windows. This would keep advanced users from being annoyed.

I am thinking also of a checkbox or triangle expander widget for the slideshow too, with next buttons... that kind of thing. I really like this idea. I have seen it in many operating system installs (Windows just takes the time to brag about itself). Add a timer for each slide and you could make it nice and slick.

You could even have a link to a more in-depth tutorial online which could be accessed during install with firefox. Why not?

A reminder that you can use the web/other apps while the installation is taking place would be good too, since I'm sure a few people don't realize this and assume (coming from windows) that it's going to hog your system (which it will on slower computers I suppose, but less and less so as computing gets better).

aysiu (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 05:03
The slideshow would be part of Ubiquity, so if the installation window isn't intrusive, I don't see how the slideshow would be. If you launch a web browser, for example, during installation then it will steal focus from Ubiquity and cover it (and the proposed slideshow) completely.

syl.ubuntu wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 09:31
"I think it would be better to have a link in the desktop to show the slideshow" great idea!!!!

diablo75 wrote on the 1 Mar 08 at 16:07
It could be a paperclip..... nevermind :P

probono wrote on the 1 Mar 08 at 16:38
The installation "progress bar" should be without interaction and as minimalistic as possible, and it should CLEARLY tell the user "This will take X minutes. No more interaction is necessary. Go away, drink a coffee,..." --> no need to sit around and watch the computer install. This is how Mac OS X does it, btw.

xlasttrainhomex wrote on the 2 Mar 08 at 17:50
Not agree. That would be against the simplicity of ubuntu actual installation.

twright wrote on the 4 Mar 08 at 00:04
when you have a liveCD the computer isn't useless whilst installing unlike windows and OS so interaction is OK

dan.fernandez wrote on the 4 Mar 08 at 14:25
@diablo75 I LOL'ed! :P :D :D :D

Ok, desktop icon is good. But, it could be even better if installer tells you about it when it start copying the files. Something like...

-----8

dan.fernandez wrote on the 4 Mar 08 at 14:31
Damn, my last comment got broken!
Someone is being a litte paranoid with the < in --8<-- instead of escaping it with htmlspecialchars()

Anyway, it was something like:

Ubuntu Linux is being installed on your computer. Depending of your hardware, this process can take some time to finish.

While the install finish, please feel yourself at home. Basic applications and web browsing are available. If you are new to Ubuntu, there's a tutorial on the desktop. Double click on "Tutorial Slideshow" to access it.

ryanhaigh wrote on the 5 Mar 08 at 04:30
I have thought about this many times when trying to aid people with post install setup. Suse had this when I first installed linux, it would be better in ubuntu as the install is shorter meaning the screens won't be displayed long enough to be boring and there is nothing stopping the user from using the desktop while its running, it is only a slideshow. The last slide should tell them that they can try the system while they wait for the install process to finish, and of course warn them that changes are not permanent.

Eldmannen wrote on the 7 Mar 08 at 01:12
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall

Thelasko wrote on the 13 Mar 08 at 16:08
I would have to say one of the biggest problems on the forums is that new users do not understand the concept of Synaptic/APT and Add/Remove programs. They install software from unknown sources and it wrecks their system. They get frustrated and then switch to another OS. That simple piece of information on installation could really grow the community.

aantn wrote on the 21 Mar 08 at 08:55
A slideshow during the install would be great.

As Thelasko said, it would have to focus on several technical things in addition to blingy features.

If the slideshow is on the desktop no one is going to watch it. If it's inside the install window a lot of new users will.

If you keep the current progress bar on top, it wont bother advanced users.

kahrytan wrote on the 23 Mar 08 at 07:27


Ubuntu releases do more updated video tutorials. Now we can get Ubuntu Screencasts updated more frequently and include them with releases or make it part of the default firefox page.

zeker wrote on the 24 Mar 08 at 04:41
Couldn't you have it appear during the installation with two buttons "Watch During Installation" or "Place Shortcut on Desktop to Watch later" then everyone would be happy?

jrusinek wrote on the 25 Mar 08 at 16:29
The mockups simply look like Anaconda.

It could be better to port Anaconda to Qt and reuse it in Ubuntu...

andersja wrote on the 14 May 08 at 11:54
+1 innovative. Show users which basic applications to use (e.g. instant messenger, OO.org, firefox etc)

aysiu (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 14 Oct 08 at 17:11
Deferred? No!!!

aysiu (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 15 Dec 08 at 19:24
So I haven't actually tested the alphas of Jaunty yet.

Anyone know if this is really making it into the next release or not?

ed54 wrote on the 12 Jan 09 at 01:05
How about a button in the installer that says 'Orientation Slideshow' or 'Using Ubuntu'

baldurpet wrote on the 12 Jan 09 at 03:58
As long as it's non-intrusive and terse, it should be a good way to introduce new users to Ubuntu.

+1

knopper67 wrote on the 14 Jan 09 at 22:37
@dan.fernandez

"...please feel yourself at home."

That better be a typo...

hegemon_8 wrote on the 15 Jan 09 at 05:00
As far as i remember Mandriva 2008.0 have very similar to windows setup screen. (btw, Grub has a nice grafic look by default) but as i am beginner, i dont really care about the look of setup. I prefer alternative versions of kubuntu, not LiveCD, they are still in text mode. its ok with me.

Lachu wrote on the 22 Jan 09 at 16:21
On older Ubuntu version we had examples folder. On new Ubuntu version we can add "after install" pdf file on desktop. When user ran installation, we can show some summarize and "About Ubuntu" on bottom. It will open "after install" file. This button can appear under progress bar too. We can add links to movies on special Ubuntu page.Canonical can add introduction button on Ubuntu start page.

delvalle26 wrote on the 13 Feb 09 at 04:41
The installation should be kept simple and quick.
The goal of the installer should be, to install, and nothing more.

Making it interactive or adding a slide show is unrelated frankly and makes the assumption that the user installing it is the one that needs to watch the tutorial then and there.

To top it off, with newer hardware and technology, the install time will become quite minuscule. It will end up either a quick slide show, or delaying the install.

That aside, like the example folder, throw in a tutorial and slide show. This could be viewed from the live cd before an install, or by any user account on the box at any time after install.

Keep the installer an installer. Showcase what you want with the livecd with a nice desktop short-cut (tutorial, demo, whatever) and any subsequent user account added will get this and other examples.

The simple install is something worth bragging about.
It's a great installer, keep it focused on that. Rather than adding this odd layer of complexity... Can you image bug reports on the installer regarding a slide show? Heh.

kgamer wrote on the 15 Feb 09 at 15:59
This is something that windows has had since Windows 98 (Or Possibly 95, I can't remember), and I think it's a great idea for the new users who are coming from windows to get to grips with Ubuntu.

I think that it should be shown in install only mode, and leave it out in an install from the live desktop, as it would only slow the install time.

However, it would be a good idea to include some sort of 'Welcome to Ubuntu' tour that is sort of available already, but has to be paid for. It could show only the most basic features, such as how to run programs, etc.

yahlov wrote on the 27 Feb 09 at 20:33
i don't know if anyone other has this comment to but I WOULDN'T INTEGRATE THAT ON INSTALLATION.

I think it's the best way to integrate that Demo/Tutorial or whatever in the LiveCD!

So it's possible to check out how to handle Ubuntu before installing or changing OS.

ziroday (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 10 Mar 09 at 09:29
@aysiu It has been deferred (again) to Karmic :(.

@yahlov Please don't shout, we can read lower case too.

aysiu (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 12 Mar 09 at 22:07
Deferred again...?

And annoying notifications are in? Can't say I agree with that, but I'm not Shuttleworth.

Seph_VII wrote on the 14 Mar 09 at 23:37
I can't see why this is so hard to do... Canonical should just ask the users to make some slides in OpenOffice, then use the best ones. They don't need to dedicate a team or anything...

slsolaris wrote on the 23 Apr 09 at 04:32
@Seph_VII they do have to dedicate a team to do it, i think when u choose "install ubuntu" after step 7, while installing it should stay in full-screen, so progress bar should be placed at the button and slide-show over it, but one well done like ms windows vista or windows 7 one

Lachu wrote on the 10 May 09 at 07:41
In my opinion this idea should be realised as screensaver. It would be default screensaver on all Ubuntu based distribution. In KDE we might have different video and on GNOME different. When laptop using a battery we only show slide show.
Slideshow should exit when system needs an interaction(in LiveCD session only). This screensaver can save position and last displaying movie.

Why this idea?

Slideshow are enabled both on LiveCD(installation) and normal(post-installation) session. It would starting when user don't do anythink since amount of time. Most veteran users can change slideshow.
User can go to LiveCD, start Firefox and nothink will disappoint him.

Also this feature should be enabled in system->tutorial menu element.

korbé wrote on the 12 May 09 at 15:14
It is past or the idea?

I don't see it in Ubuntu 9.04.

dei wrote on the 27 May 09 at 11:32
In the blueprint you can see they are still working on it.
If you want it faster, then help them! looks it will be ready for karmic. if it's in main until then is another question...

AFarris01 wrote on the 24 Jul 09 at 17:26
Personally, I think it might be a better idea to make it an option for it to be available on the desktop, and have options during the install to, say, play the slideshow during the install, after the install (on first login), or not at all. Then, just default it to play during the install. That way, you get the best of all worlds:

* People that don't know (i.e. newbies) will have the benifit of a pretty slide show they can watch during the install, should they decide to sit-and-stare

* People who are installing it for others (i.e. OEMs, computer shops) can have it play on the user's first login (if they so desire)

* Experienced users can just turn it off if they want.

I agree that keeping things simple is a good thing, but in this case, I think adding this to the installer would be very helpful for new users, and for helping spread the Ubuntu word.

saivann (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 4 Sep 09 at 02:26
Karmic alpha 5 includes a slideshow during the installation, with beautiful effects BTW! If Karmic final release keeps this functionnality, then this idea can be marked as implemented.

vhindriksen wrote on the 8 Sep 09 at 11:54
This would be half of what I would like. The rest I put in idea http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/8754/

szirakitamas wrote on the 13 Sep 09 at 10:23
the next idea rise on ubuntu.hu:
would the language of this slideshow be the language of the installation?

DylanMcCall wrote on the 26 Sep 09 at 01:37
Szirakitamas: Yes, the slideshow is told a particular language to run with via a hash thingy at the end of its URL, for example index.html#locale=fr. In this way, the slideshow uses the correct locale immediately, just like Ubiquity.

Unfortunately, strings are kind of erratic (my fault, sorry), making it a bit rough for the generous translators who jumped aboard early. Thus, the translations may end up a bit shaky for Karmic.
For Lynx, though, I'm pretty optimistic about that end of things :)



Lachu: Your screensaver idea is pretty cool. Only problem is that Ubuntu ships with no screensaver by default (just blank screen) and I wouldn't want to encourage a change from that. LCD screens don't need screensavers; they just waste power.

Still, you have the right idea: this needs to happen passively! We can't have a button the user presses or an introduction slideshow upon first logging in, because then it's just tacky and horrible. It goes from us talking to the user where it's handy (since nothing else is going on), to the user reading a document that arbitrarily flips pages every 30 seconds.

josephrockz4 wrote on the 19 Jun 10 at 10:12
I'm sure it's already been said that this is probably the main reason that Ubuntu isn't as popular as it could be - people don't know how to use it. Therefore, I think it's important for us as a community to understand where the needs of the average user lie, and teach them how to use Ubuntu. It is by far the most usable of the Linux OSes, but...

1. DVDs are, by default not playable. When I tried to play one, I searched for a solution, found one, realised it didn't work (APT-GET couldn't find the packages; I guess the places explaining how to enable DVD playback were outdated), and booted into Windows instead of going through the hassle.

2. Installing software is difficult, and definitely not something a 16-year-old girl or a grandparent would want to do. APT-GET is nice, but sometimes it doesn't work. Installing from source tarballs is complex (for most people) and fails more often than APT-GET. .deb packages are (in my opinion) the best option, but aren't too common.

3. Drivers. WiFi drivers in particular. My laptop uses the Broadcom driver, and although it isn't difficult to enable it, it's not easy for people who couldn't navigate the Windows Control Panel.


These are just three things I've noticed, but I'm sure there's more. If there were ways that people could do these things more easily, or have them explained to them...

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