Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:58:06 +0100 From: Frank Shute <frank@shute.org.uk> To: Evan Busch <antiequality@gmail.com> Cc: "freebsd-questions@freebsd.org" <freebsd-questions@freebsd.org> Subject: Re: A quality operating system Message-ID: <20110827195806.GA9802@orange.esperance-linux.co.uk> In-Reply-To: <CAC1X_0bXSXMW_AEPZMM_N5Lxi2F3J5hjR7m1gbyhBK1_W4eeWw@mail.gmail.com> References: <CAC1X_0bP8SeyqMaR68AQPMzT%2Br-isv4h0bJPdtaF3377bQ%2BajQ@mail.gmail.com> <16851_1313817220_4E4F4284_16851_6517_1_D9B37353831173459FDAA836D3B43499C521886E@WADPMBXV0.waddell.com> <CAC1X_0bs-Bg1VDiaTnXUifGfPKbtAibH%2BzfxV8=RPCMHJKNLVw@mail.gmail.com> <20110825043208.fe201707.freebsd@edvax.de> <CAC1X_0bXSXMW_AEPZMM_N5Lxi2F3J5hjR7m1gbyhBK1_W4eeWw@mail.gmail.com>
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--bg08WKrSYDhXBjb5 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable On Sat, Aug 27, 2011 at 01:56:16PM -0500, Evan Busch wrote: > > I can see this will be important here: >=20 > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_dilemma >=20 > On Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 9:32 PM, Polytropon <freebsd@edvax.de> wrote: > > But allow me to say > > that _if_ you are interested in contributing in _that_ > > way, you should always bring examples and name _concrete_ > > points you're criticizing, instead of just mentioning > > wide ranges of "this doesn't conform to my interpretation > > of what 'professional' should look like". >=20 > The problem with your statement is that it does not allow for general > critique, which is also needed. If something shows up in more than one > place, it is a general critique. You haven't shown *one* example of inadequate or confusing documentation.=20 >=20 > > In most cases, documentation requires you to have a minimal > > clue of what you're doing. There's terminology you simply > > have to know, and concepts to understand in order to use > > the documentation. >=20 > See the Wikipedia page above -- the problem isn't one of user > competence, but of poorly-written documentation that is fundamentally > disorganized. >=20 > Have you looked at any of the documentation coming out of Redmond right n= ow? >=20 > How do you think FreeBSD's documentation stands up to that? FreeBSD documentation blows away anything Redmond gives you. Where's the documentation for Windows Explorer for Vista on microsoft.com? A link will do. >=20 >=20 > > Different kinds of users have different preferences. Some > > like to use the web, like to use Wikis and discussion boards. > > Others like to use structured web pages. Again, other like > > web pages too, but want to have as much information in _one_ > > (long) page. And there are those who do not want to depend > > on the web - those like man pages. >=20 > The question isn't form, but content. >=20 > > If you're used to some specific _way_ of documentation, you > > will maybe value anything that's _different_ from that way > > as being inferior, non-professional, or less helpful. >=20 > I think I'm talking about professional level documentation, not a > specific "style." By your own admission you don't even use FreeBSD so how on earth can you constructively criticise? Answer: you can't. >=20 > > Also keep in mind that especially for developers, the SOURCE > > CODE also is an important piece of documentation. Here FreeBSD > > is very good, compared to other systems. >=20 > We're talking end-user documentation here. In a lot of cases the source IS end-user documentation? BTW, how does that compare with Redmond? >=20 > > Here the "one size fits all" problem arises. It's really hard > > to make documentation "for everybody". >=20 > I disagree. It's very clear what must be done because multiple archetypes= exist. Well do it. Put up or shut up. >=20 > > Note the presence of ":-)" and the abilities of english native > > speakers who are much more able to express "between the lines" > > than I am, for example. >=20 > If so, it's just them trying to cover up the inherently defensive and > reactionary nature of their comments. They're inherently defensive and reactionary because you're trolling. >=20 > Would they send such an email on a business list? Who cares? It's not a business list. >=20 > > You can "predict" that everywhere. Just go to any halfway > > specialized setting and make claims about something not > > meeting your requirements >=20 > I've never had this problem when the claims have been stated > professionally -- only here. OK, so you'll be able to provide links then? Thought not. --=20 Frank Contact info: http://www.shute.org.uk/misc/contact.html --bg08WKrSYDhXBjb5 Content-Type: application/pgp-signature Content-Disposition: inline -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v2.0.16 (FreeBSD) iEYEARECAAYFAk5ZTE0ACgkQHduKvUAgeK5OkwCeId4KZVTjdPtA0436SU3B6ABa mcsAn0jL6XFsSBgcnVcVm07UgDTHSROn =tUQr -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- --bg08WKrSYDhXBjb5--
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