[drupal-docs] Handbook v2

[Anisa]

Hm.....okay.  I have no quarrels with documentation software.  I'm sure 
some people like pdfs, even. 

Hm.  I have too many things to say.  I am trying to keep my emails short 
like everyone else.  ^.^

In any case, I stand by making up a style sheet for the handbook as it 
currently is.  I wrote two pages and just within that, the style of 
writing and explaining is completely different.  By establishing a set 
of criteria, it's easier to judge what and where to fix, and you get 
more uniformity, which will be easier to convert into the shiny new 
book.  I cannot see any minues, but I am very biased.  ;)

Any one else interested?

Anisa.



Steven Peck wrote:

>Actually they do.  Initial documentation formats can determine how
>flexible you can be later.  Pausing now to establish the standard you
>are going for is a good thing.  They deal with how to avoid 'suckiness'
>in the future. :)
>
>There are a lot of tools that can be used to manipulate the output of
>DocBook formatted text.  HTML online, offline, pdf, rtf, etc.  It can be
>stored in CVS, which will let you version the documentation and revert
>back a level should that become necessary.  It is what a lot of Open
>Source software is documented in.
>
>A brief pause to discuss this is not out of line.  Once it was brought
>up, it is important to decide once and for all.  As much as a pain it is
>to switch over and learn it, it will help in the long run.  In the mean
>time, work on the wiki in regards to the structure can go on.  Adding
>actual docs to the wiki can go on and be converted later.  Dries
>mentioned that he raised this point a while ago, so if we have enough
>willing people to go at it this time around so those who come after us
>don't have to revisit it again, then so be it.
>
>In the meantime, people can still write stuff. :)
>
>-sp
>
>  
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: drupal-docs-bounces at drupal.org 
>>[mailto:drupal-docs-bounces at drupal.org] On Behalf Of Anisa
>>
>>My impression is, from what ya'll have said, and from reading a teeny 
>>bit about DocBooks and LaTeX is, well, 1) the Drupal 
>>Handbook...is NOT a 
>>600 page science text book.  ^.^;;
>>
>>2) These things don't deal with the suckiness of the handbook and the 
>>user oriented documentation.  They basically, correct me if I 
>>am wrong, 
>>apply certain styles to a given text to make it presentable, make it 
>>easier to update that text and let you see previous versions 
>>of that text. 
>>
>>
>>Anisa.
>>    
>>