Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 13:25:46 -0800 From: Studded <Studded@dal.net> To: Sue Blake <sue@welearn.com.au> Cc: freebsd-doc@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: doc "renovation" project volunteer Message-ID: <35118D5A.6CA23B79@dal.net> References: <Pine.BSF.3.96.980318181025.10998A-100000@andrsn.stanford.edu> <Pine.BSF.3.95q.980318223140.316G-100000@barnowl.roost.net> <19980319163714.47520@welearn.com.au> <3510DD9B.1591459B@dal.net> <19980319212405.55520@welearn.com.au>
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Sue Blake wrote: > > On Thu, Mar 19, 1998 at 12:55:55AM -0800, Studded wrote: > > > Mine is not the only voice, however I'm coordinating the > > short term project on updating the FOO.TXT stuff that goes in the root > > directory of the CD. > > Thank you for clafifying that. No problem. > > > A new mailing list has just been started for newbies. While the > > > documentation project is important, it is at least as important that > > > freebsd-newbies list be seen as something _for_ newbies to enjoy rather than > > > something to keep them either out of the way or doing useful work. > > > > I don't see how -newbies and -doc have any relationship at all. They > > exist for entirely different purposes. > > Glad to hear you agree. > > > > Having said that, I think that as a newbie I can draw on some of its members > > > to provide a willing documentation readership to give you experts some > > > feedback, so long as it doesn't overrun the newbies list in its formative > > > stages. We're an extremely sensitive lot and easily misinterpret. > > > > I'm not sure I understand what you mean. You want to be in charge of > > picking people to review docs? > > No, I'm saying that since I'm involved in both lists, I will be the > go-between. Errrr... no. At least for me if I have something to say to the newbies list about docs I will say it directly to them and ask them to respond directly to me, or to this list as appropriate. > I was neither talking about being in charge of people nor asking > for your personal consent. > > There are alternative methods, but the majority of people here would find > them extremely distasteful. What exactly are you referring to? > > Why can't members of the -doc team who want their stuff to be reviewed > > just post to -newbies and ask for help? > > Because people like you will go in and talk to them the way you have talked > to me in the past. That is not the best way to obtain cooperation, as you > must have discovered by now. If newbies can't have a space that is their > own, where they don't have to suffer being someone's underling, Where did you get the idea that I want to make the people on -newbies underlings? > then the > list would lose much of its value. We might as well all join -hackers :-) > hey that'd be fun!! > > > > I have volunteered before to review any documentation that is offered, but > > > it would be even better to have more than one newbie perspective. What I > > > propose is to announce in freebsd-newbies when specific help is required, > > > coordinate that help, and report back here. On the flip side, if newbies say > > > they're wanting something in particular in the way of docs I can gather > > > their thoughts together, present them here, and report back to -newbies. > > > That way you don't get bored or annoyed by incompetence and they don't get > > > made to feel small or under scrutiny. Of course this doesn't preclude any > > > other methods, but provides a workable structure. > > > > Hmmmm. I know I'll be on the -newbies list, and I would suggest that > > anyone else seriously interested in producing documentation to be on and > > read -newbies and -questions. If we're not paying attention to the needs > > of the users, our efforts will be considerably less effective. Also, > > although you are welcome to present your perspective on what those > > needs are, channeling input from various users through one person > > eliminates the chief virtue of soliciting various perspectives. > > I think you misunderstand, Doug, but it doesn't matter much. I'm trying to understand what you're saying, but once again I think we've reached the point where I do understand but I really don't like what I'm hearing. > Those who are interested and have the time are already showing their respect > by watching silently. You are more than welcome to do so too if you believe > you have anything to learn from newbies. Are you actually telling me that I can listen on -newbies but you don't want me to talk? To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-doc" in the body of the message
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