[Orgmode] Re: Beginners guide to Org customization

[Bernt Hansen]

Carsten Dominik <address@hidden> writes:

> I have made a structured list of 43 (which one can
> we remove, please????) Variables that came in as frequently
> customized variables in the customization survey.  It is not
> exactly the top 43, I have used some additional judgement.

I think a lot of these variables are things you play with _after_ using
org-mode for awhile.  Maybe the following variables should be introduced
later?

  - org-archive-location

    the default works, and you don't archive anytime soon after starting
    to use org-mode.

  - org-startup-folded

    start with #STARTUP first?

  - org-odd-levels-only

    Talk about the conversion functions too (org-convert-to-odd-levels
    and org-convert-to-oddeven-levels.)  I switched my files back and
    forth a few times but ended up with oddeven levels due to the depth
    of some of my tasks.

  - org-special-ctrl-a/e
  - org-special-ctrl-k

    I should maybe try these one day :)

I've used org-mode for a few years now and I don't currently use these
variables. They're great to have but not essential to getting started.

The default values for the variables work in most cases.  I think the
ones that should be listed first are the ones you really have to
customize to get org-mode to work for you.  Beginners will not want nor
need this amount of detail to be productive with org-mode.  Having too
many variables to set up or play with up front may just scare people
away.

Maybe we just need to stress that customizations are optional and you
can completely ignore entire sections that don't apply to you (clocking,
exporting, etc.) until you feel you need these additional features.

HTH,
Bernt