[documentation] RE: What is a "user"?

[O Govinda]

I agree about dividing Drupal administrators into "administrators" and
"consultants." Likely to add confusion. 

I would still suggest "administrators" and "users." That way we don't need
to distinguish (awkwardly) between "users" and "end users." "Administrators"
is natural and clear. And "user," really, is the natural way to refer to an
"end user." (Evidence: In Drupal core, what do we call the module that
handles people registered to log on to a site? Yes: the "user" module. And
what does that module call those people? Yes: "users.")

Throughout the internet and in other computing contexts, "user" is the
general term for an "end-user."

Wikipedia (entry for "user"):



> A USER in computing context is one who uses a computer system. Users may
> need to identify themselves for the purposes of accounting, security,
> logging and resource management. In order to identify oneself, a user has
> an ACCOUNT (a USER ACCOUNT) and a USERNAME, and in most cases also a
> password. Users employ the user interface to access systems, and the
> process of identification is often referred to as log in.
> 
> Users are also widely characterized as the class of people that uses a
> system without complete technical expertise required to fully understand
> the system. In most hacker-related contexts, they are also called real
> users. See also End-user (computer science). . . .
> 
> Usernames are usually based on a short string of alphanumeric characters.
> Depending on the policies of the particular service, the name may be
> chosen by the user or assigned by a SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR.
> 

All that aside: The main thing is that we be consistent. 

Anyone else want to chime in?

Cordially,
O Govinda (J. Swami)
www.jswami.info
www.jswami.info www.jswami.info 




Steven Peck wrote:
> 
> A Drupal 'user' is generally considered an implementor of Drupal.  This
> means developer, site-admin and power user.  . . . 
> 
> Your use case #3 is an end-user.  The end-user documentation in the
> handbook pre-date's me but was not intended for 'end-users' to use from
> Drupal.org.  It was more intended for people to use as a base and to
> customize to their site's needs.
> 
> You are right that the documentation is not consistent. . . . 
> 
> A user of Drupal is just that.  Using Consultant or administrator adds a
> layor of potential confusion.  I am not a developer or a consultant but
> I do setup and implement Drupal based sites as well as give advise and
> support.  
> 
> Perhaps be more consistent and up front about the User - End User
> definitions....?  Not sure, anyone else? . . . 
> 
> Steven
> 
> 
> Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
> List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
> 
> 

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