Re: Documentation?

Hi,

04Mar2005 @ 15:41 Russ Button thusly spake
> Peter Dembinski wrote:
> >On Fri, Mar 04, 2005 at 09:13:34PM +0100, Kjartan Ohr wrote:
> >>I just wonder if there is a complete documentation for wmaker.
> >>Like a little PDF file that covers every aspect of Windowmaker.
> >>>From installing, optimizing, configuration, how to use, making themes and
> >>perhaps some history.
> >>I know I can fing new and old information about this.
> >>But I can't find a doc that covers it all.
> >>Is there any chance that someone can make something like that.
> >
> >Sources are the final reference, dude :)
> > 
> This is why Linux/UNIX and Open Source in general haven't yet made a dent
> in being sold to consumers or to the business desktop.  I'm a big 
> Windowmaker
> fan.  But the idea of expecting users to read source code to figure out 
> things
> like:
> 
> How to use
> Making themes
> Installation
> Configuration
> 
> Well that's just plain absurd.  Linux has been with us for well over a 
> decade
> and UNIX more than twice as long, yet we still get to suffer with Windoze
> for exactly this kind of kiss my ass attitude.  It's like Windoze is a Yugo
> and Linux is a Ferrari, but when you buy the Yugo, you may hate it, but
> when you take delivery, they hand you a key and you drive off. 
> 
> But at the Linux/Ferrari dealer, they hand you a pallet load of parts 
> and expect
> you to assemble it on the spot, and when you ask for a user's manual,
> they tell you that if you can't figure out how to put it together, you 
> should
> go drive a Yugo.

Russ, in all correctness, nobody would disagree with you.
*AND* you have to see the point that Peter is making: There's all these people *using* free software and they become complacent about the effort that's gone into it. It should probably be emphasised again that we rely on the *developers* to *do* all this and what a wonderful job they are doing. Wow, how great is windowmaker. It's the best :-)
Developers are just that, they don't usually document too well, and that is the case with windowmaker. So if you want documentation, *get out there* and make it happen. Organise it! 
One of the things we will tolerate least is whinging and whining. The essence of OS is that you are empowered to go out and do it if you think it needs doing.

Kjartan has it wrong if he thinks there is a 'little' pdf out there that covers every aspect of windowmaker. That is *really* funny. 
>>Is there any chance that someone can make something like that.
To Kjartan I say, start a documentation project for windowmaker and organise it!
If you want to use this great software, realise that it is *free*, realise that there are many others who put *heaps* of time into it and acknowledge that, then maybe you can contribute. That's honourable. 

Russ, about your use of the car metaphor. 
1. Linux - Ferrari, Windows - Yugo. No, to extreme. 
Linux is more like a car made of different generic parts from manufacturers all over the world.
A jaguar/bmw/honda combined engine, greek wheels, soviet airco, australian windscreen-wipers etc.
Windows is the proprietary VW trying to be a Rolls. :-)

2. I thought about it as driving. Driving Linux is a driving a car with manual trans and adjustable timing on your wipers, adjustable strength on your hi-beam and where you can open *AND* close your boot/trunk with automation *and* many more features if you care to add them. :-)
Driving windows is like an automatic with 2 wiper speeds that are too-slow and too-fast, sun roof can only open automatically when the sun shines, collapsing bumpers when you park, and auto start when you open the door *plus* many more features you just don't want. :-)


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