nodeschool workshopper/tutorial for how to get node installed

over at the inclusivity group, we discussed on pre-conference education for first-timers and newcomers to node. the idea of a nodeschool workshopper focusing on how to install node was brought up, but there are still points to clear (such as how to install the workshopper in the first place, assuming node isn't installed). nevertheless, i believe that this is an interesting topic and might help people get into node more easily (which is what the inclusivity project is all about!)

/cc @thealphanerd @jasnell @mikeal

[MylesBorins]

The first though I had was that we could use electron to embed node / browser based terminal to get people through the first steps on their own machines. The application could do some basic vendor checking and then offer a getting started tutorial for various install methods / tool chains.

Essentially this stand alone app could itself become a template for writing onboarding documentation

@thealphanerd you mean that it might become a format like workshopper eventually?

[MylesBorins]

that was what I am imagining. That being said @mikeal raises a good point about how that would scale. I'm not convinced that we can truly scale with only hands on on boarding though.

[mikeal]

@thealphanerd I'm imagining that as we do these by hand we can slowly improve the documentation around install issues and setting up environments until we have something comprehensive.

@mikeal wait - what does 'by hand' mean in this context?

[mikeal]

@sup literally sitting next to someone and helping them figure it out :)

@mikeal oooh, you mean the 'install fest' idea?

what i think might be a decent idea would be a site/format where you get asked multiple questions related to os, editor, ide etc.. and then get presented with an install guide that's easy to understand AND suited for your situation. if anything doesn't work, you can request personal assistance (even though that should probably be up for debate)

[mikeal]

So, I'm going to get a little pie in the sky here, but what would be best is a more humane installer.

If we could create an installer, maybe with Electron, that:

• Installs Node.js
• Tests that Node.js works properly.
• Tests that npm works properly and fixes common permission errors.
• Offers additional help (in-app documentation) on setting up your environment and using npm.

This could be huge for us as nearly every new user trips over one of these things. It would make Node.js the easiest platform to get up and going on.

Thoughts? @maxogden @ashleygwilliams

[jasnell]

Just some context here... In late February I will be running a NodeSchool
type lab at IBMs InterConnect conference. @thealphanerd and I are working
on the agenda and materials. I'm hoping that we can use it as a test for
evolving these kinds of tools.
On Dec 18, 2015 12:38 PM, "Mikeal Rogers" notifications@github.com wrote:

So, I'm going to get a little pie in the sky here, but what would be best
is a more humane installer.

If we could create an installer, maybe with Electron, that:

• Installs Node.js
• Tests that Node.js works properly.
• Tests that npm works properly and fixes common permission errors.
• Offers additional help (in-app documentation) on setting up your
  environment and using npm.

This could be huge for us as nearly every new user trips over one of these
things. It would make Node.js the easier platform to get up and going on.

Thoughts? @maxogden https://github.com/maxogden @ashleygwilliams
https://github.com/ashleygwilliams

—
Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub
#200 (comment).

[max-mapper]

@watson was working on a page for the nodeschool website with really detailed install instructions, but I can't find it right now (it was never finished, but had a good start)

[watson]

@maxogden yeah, it's on my always growing todo list of bad conscience: nodeschool/nodeschool.github.io#390

[MylesBorins]

@watson would you appreciate an external iteration?

[watson]

@thealphanerd I'd appreciate all the help I can get 😃