Help is needed to lists the steps a such wizard should go through...
I think that a wizard for the initial installation/configuration the very first time XBMC is loaded on a system would be a more than welcomed feature among all first-time users of XBMC who are trying to install and setup XBMC for the very first time. You the type with a welcome screen (that can be canceled); "Welcome to XBMC! This wizard will help you get XBMC up-and-running fast and easy, click next to continue..."
I would also like XBMC to have
#1. An first time setup wizard initial setup (a 'quick startup' installation wizard):
The initial setup of XBMC can still be considered a little too complicated for your average first-time installer/user. It would be nice if there was an automated 'newbie oriented' step-by-step setup wizard as an option the very first time XBMC is started. Then after that the users only have go into the settings later if they want to fine tune something. Most users do not want to tinker and tweak, they just want it to just work right way the first time after they followed some basic step-by-step wizard, (in a 'next=>next=>next' clicking through it type style).
#2. Specific task wizards:
Step-by-step wizards for repeated tasks. Tasks like for example adding a source (which I think is still just a little technical for the average user who know nothing about networking and such, ...they should not have to read the online-manual but instead get everything they need on the screen for creating something like a new SMB/Samba bookmark source, (even if we would require to add a 'HELP' button which explains the concept of a network share, etc.). Also some settings like screen resolution and screen calibration.
For the #1 first time setup wizard I was thinking a wizard that guides the user though the basic setup settings step-by-step, (similar to installing an operating-system like Windows XP/Vista, or Kickstart for Linux, but obviously specificly suited for XBMC).
* You of course start with the localization settings such as; language (for GUI), location/time-zone, clock, and also keyboard layout.
* Then you move on to the mouse and/or remote-control configuration.
* Then you move on to hardware settings such as X Window System configuration and output-resolution (480i, 576i, 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p or other resolution) for the skin and video playback, then the overscan compensation calibration, and audio-output (analog, digital, and DD and/or DTS passthrough).
* Then it is the network settings (which should probably be changed to DHCP by default now instead of using dashboard settings?), explaining that they need to set gateway and DNS if using static IP address, HTTP proxy, firewall configuration, etc. ...the network can also be tested by after this letting the user test and set the weather function.
* Samba authentication (username, password, and workgroup/domain).
* Then finally we have the "Add source" which users will have to do in order to use XBMC so why not guide them though adding a source under each catagory; pictures, video and music.
For #2 I believe that the same type of users would also benefit from a even more of a 'for dummies' (no offense meant) oriented step-by-step guide (next=>next=>next=>etc.) wizard for adding a new source, so when the user click "Add Source" they would get the option to either run a step-by-step wizard or setup that new source 'manually', I think that using a such wizard the most inexperienced user should not be able to fail with the task of adding a new source (even without reading the online manual).
PS! I think we should probably begin by take a look at how Mythbuntu handles the initial setup/confg. audio, video and lirc are covered, (and I am not only referring to XBMC for Linux here but just how a first time step-by-step installer wizard can be). Most of the config in Mythbuntu first setup is MythTV centric and that can be dumped for XBMC centric items.
Remember, user-friendliness is next to godliness!