[documentation] [Documentation task] Core documentation: Home>>create content

[pwolanin]

Issue status update for 
http://drupal.org/node/50464
Post a follow up: 
http://drupal.org/project/comments/add/50464

 Project:      Documentation
 Version:      <none>
 Component:    Admin Guide
 Category:     tasks
 Priority:     normal
 Assigned to:  Anonymous
 Reported by:  O Govinda
 Updated by:   pwolanin
 Status:       active

In the next version of Drupal, the descriptions of content types will be
modifiable by the admin.  


Also, please test the book module patch I referenced- I have tried to
incorporate some of your suggested changes into the help text, etc. in
this patch, but the patch needs review and support to get committed.




pwolanin



Previous comments:
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Tue, 21 Feb 2006 02:52:33 +0000 : O Govinda

By presenting a valuable feature of the Book Module as the defining one,
the documentation in core (and in the Handbook) hides the module's power
and makes the module seem limited in a way it is not. 


The core documentation says:


     A book is a collaborative writing effort: users can
     collaborate writing the pages of the book, positioning the
     pages in the right order, and reviewing or modifying pages
     previously written. So when you have some information to
     share or when you read a page of the book and you didn't
     like it, or if you think a certain page could have been
     written better, you can do something about it.


My suggested revision:


     A book is a set of pages tied together in sequence, with
     links and menus (automatically created) to guide users from
     section to section or to the previous page or the next.
     Users can collaborate in writing the book, reviewing or
     modifying the pages, and putting them in the right order. So
     when you have something to share, or you've read a page you
     didn't like or you think could be better, you can do something
     about it.


Or, shorter (and therefore better):


     A book is a set of pages tied together in sequence, with
     links and menus (automatically created) to guide users from
     section to section or to the previous page or the next.
     Users can collaborate in writing the book, reviewing or
     modifying the pages, and putting them in the right order.


A book may be collaborative but doesn't have to be. I can write a
one-man book that no one else can modify. Or, for that matter, with the
right permissions I can collaborate on a story or a page. The ability to
allow or disallow limited or unlimited collaboration is a Drupal feature
from top to bottom. (Put that last line in lights and send it to the
marketing team.)


When I first came upon Drupal I saw the "collaborative book module"
touted as its outstanding feature-- but it seemed an odd one, and for
my one-man site likely irrelevant. Perhaps for literary geeks
experimenting with a multi-author novel?


Both for informing and for marketing, the docs here deserve to be
fixed.


---------------------------------


Going a bit further, here's what I'd do to the whole page:


*Home*


*create content*
Choose an item from the list:


*book page*
A book is a set of pages tied together in sequence, with links and
menus (automatically created) to guide users from section to section or
to the previous page or the next. Users can collaborate in writing the
book, reviewing or modifying the pages, and putting them in the right
order.


*page*
If you want to add a static page, like a contact page or an about page,
use a page.


*story*
Stories are articles in their simplest form. They have a title, a body,
and (taken from the body) a teaser. You can also use stories for a blog
or for news articles.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 22:08:51 +0000 : pwolanin

I edited this page: http://drupal.org/handbook/modules/book


A little more in response to your comments above.  However, the
descriptions you are targeting are part of the code, not the handbook. 
I'd guess these suggested changes need to be filed as an issue against
the book module.  Note, however, possible substantial changes in that
module: http://drupal.org/node/65319




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 15:15:45 +0000 : O Govinda

Thank you. You are right. I'll post a note on that thread.




------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 12:13:35 +0000 : O Govinda

I filed this item as an issue with the Book Module. Sepec replied: "This
would be better as an issue against the documentation project or on the
documentation mailling list. "


Full circle.