[documentation] Contributors to docs need more public recognition

[Steve Dondley]

On Mon, May 26, 2008 at 1:43 AM, Angela Byron <drupal-docs at webchick.net> wrote:
> Steve Dondley wrote:
>> What's wrong with being as public as possible with patting people on
>> the back?
>
> Well, the things that I mentioned in my previous mails that were glossed
> over because of the ownership vs. maintainership clarification:
>
> - A movement toward individual ownership of *handbook pages*, rather
> than community ownership of *the handbook*.
> - Additional responsibility laid on the original author which currently
> doesn't exist.
> - A bulls-eye on the forehead of anyone who contributes documentation,
> for easy target practice from people seeking support.
> - Sticky questions about who "really" owns $page, when this often isn't
> clear or can even possibly be determined.
> - Additional administrative overhead for docs team members who could
> instead just be writing and improving the docs.

I've said repeatedly I'm not attached to that proposal. I really don't
care about it so that effectively kills debate on it, doesn't it?That
is,  unless someone wants to bring it to the floor again.

>
>> Do you think giving people more credit will help Drupal find more
>> contributors? Yes or no? Because that's what this is really about.
>
> The answer is, I don't know. It's certainly not a motivating factor for
> me, personally, nor apparently for the 700+ existing handbook
> contributors who are apparently fine and dandy with the existing level
> of credit they receive.

Well, I can only speculate, but I doubt you would be happy toiling
away on Drupal in perfect obscurity. How would have Lullabot ever
found you? As great as you are, I still think an ego lurks within. :)

However, I can clearly see that it's a
> motivating factor for you, which probably means that it's a motivating
> factor for some other people out there. Whether dumping a whole bunch of
> time and energy into creating some sort of credit system will pay off in
> a slew of new documentation contributions, I don't think anyone can say.
> I certainly don't think it's a no-brainer, though.

I think the changes I proposed will not require "dumping a whole bunch
of time and energy." Just to create a simple block to list the
contributors to a document page? Or are you thinking about the whole
"maintainer" feature thing which I said I don't really care about and
have repeatedly stated as such?

I think the amount of work needed to put up a block is minimal. If it
can be done in an hour or two, why not do it. Let's say the feature is
the deciding factor in getting 2 more contributors. Don't you think
that's worth it.

>
> I'd be more +1 towards something like Greg suggests, where we make the
> list of handbook maintainers more clear, or even going as silly as
> adding little badges next to the names of anyone who contributes to the
> handbook. Make the recognition around the act of contributing to the
> 'greater good' of the handbook itself, rather than personal glory around
> individual pages.
>
> However, until/unless someone steps up to spec out and code something,
> this is all just theoretical discussion. I'm going to get back to coding
> now. ;)

All real progress starts with discussion. Please don't be so dismissive.

Someone with some ability to change the code on d.o. will have to get
involved at some point. If it can't ever get escalated to that level,
we're all just pissing in the wind.

>
> -Angie
> --
> Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
> List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
>



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