On Dec 8, 2007 8:22 AM, Karl Larsen <k5di@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Ed Greshko wrote: > >> I can write a book. I have done so. It was like 30 years ago. Word > >> Perfect. But I have no idea how to write a Help on Fedora. Where would I > >> find this? > >> > > > > Go to http://docs.fedoraproject.org/ and proceed to the links in the "How to > > Contribute to Fedora" section. > > > > > I have gone there and joined the Documentation list. I am going to > try and get a GPL number but last time I tried it failed... :-) > > Once I get going I will start writing to the Help for Users and Groups. > > Karl I'm stepping in the middle of this against my better judgment. I'm sure you are a very intelligent individual with great knowledge in various areas including some aspects of Linux (vs the average user for example). However you do not have a methodical approach to Linux issues (at least none that I can see from your postings). You try something based on how you think it should work. If it doesn't, it's a bug. Short and sweet a bug is when an application does something that it was not meant to do and yields negative consequences as a result of it (whether a crash, erroneous calculation, losing or misplacing some data, whatever). I'm sure there are better definitions out there. But bottom line the lack of a help section is not a bug unless there is one built in but it cannot be displayed due to bad programming. You try something on your system and if it works, then it's good for mass distribution to others to replicate with no thoughts to potential pitfalls that could arise based on someone having a different configuration. And without testing it any further from various different angles. I've also written some documentation to be used on a course (not relating to Linux). It was written after doing lots of testing to determine exactly how an application was behaving behind the scenes. Doesn't mean it can't contain errors. But at least every effort was made to ensure it does not through thorough testing. I could see you try something once on your own system. If it worked a certain way, then that would be how it would get documented ignoring that others might not have the same configuration as yours. Plus documentation cannot be "do this, then this, then this, etc..." which is what we've seen from you in the past (I acknowledge that you were putting out guides in those instances which may not reflect how you'd write detailed documentation but I throw that out as a cautionary flag). I am a good driver. I use my signal lights. I keep a safe distance from cars in front of me. I drive according to the road conditions. And I can change the oil in my car, replace a flat tire, top up my windshield wash, and other such basic vehicle maintenance. But I would not attempt to write documentation on any of those things. A basic primer for the lay person maybe. But documentation to me requires that the author has greater depth of knowledge on the subject even if they won't be going to that depth in the documentation. That greater depth of knowledge is what helps them ensure that what is written is accurate for various circumstances rather than just their own. I have not see that depth of knowledge or such a methodical approach from you as it relates to Linux. I can only speak of that in the context of what I've observed from you on this list so that observation was made within that context. And you've demonstrated a number of times on this list that you are not very flexible or receptive to advice from others. You've observed something specific on your system and you've formed an opinion on it which you don't easily sway from even when clearly more knowledgeable individuals attempt to nudge you in the right direction. As commendable as it is to want to contribute to Fedora documentation, I don't see it as your strength. Unless I've misread you completely, you will likely save yourself and others grief and frustrations by finding another way to contribute to Fedora that better compliments your strengths in this area. I don't seek to be mean spirited at all in my posting. I think it would be mean spirited to feed you to the wolves (i.e. to a documentation team that would chew you up and spit you out) knowing the likely end result based on their knowledge of you as it pertains to Linux, documentation writing, and conflicts frequently arising between you and others. Jacques B.
