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Slashdot reply final

On Sun, Feb 13, 2000 at 12:13:53PM -0800, Gregory Leblanc wrote:
> Wow, we're down to minor quibbles now.  :)  Even if you don't agree with the
> ones that I've proposed changes on, the two that I've flagged with * at the
> beginning are errors in english grammar.  As long as those two get
> corrected, I'll stop picking-nits.  Thanks,

I did integrate your changes, but I'm on a different timezone, which
makes a 1 day delay (I read my mail/do the LDP work from 21:00 to 01:00
CET -local time-)

***************************************************

<<
Thanks a lot to slashdot readers for the comments they submitted.

Our announcement may have seemed "empty" but you provided us with lots
of good feedback regarding the LDP in general, and that will help us
in improving our quality.

While reading the comments, I took a paper and wrote down the different
problems people had.

Some will not be solved immediately, some are now solved :

  - web site design : FIXED (http://www.linuxdoc.org)

Each of your comments were precious to help us improve its appearance
and ease of use.

Please try out the new version.

  - provide direct access to important links : FIXED (http://www.linuxdoc.org)

We now have big links for each of the major document types (HOWTOs,
FAQs...) on the first page.

Please check "non-English" where you should find a link to your local
LDP with translated documents.

  - provide security bulletins & link to RFC archivesa (http://??? links)

I'm sorry, but this is not within the current goals of the LDP.
However, we will add links to other sites with this information in our
"Links" section.

  - provide DocBook and PDF documents : FIXED
    (ftp://metalab.unc.edu/pub/linux/docs/HOWTO/other-formats/docbook
and ftp://metalab.unc.edu/pub/linux/docs/HOWTO/other-formats/pdf)

I converted each of the LinuxDoc HOWTOs and mini HOWTOs to DocBook and
PDF, uploaded them 2 days after the Slashdot article ; they are now available
on ftp://metalab.unc.edu/pub/linux/docs/HOWTO/other-formats/ as another
output, just like the html and ps versions.

  - move to DocBook because LinuxDoc sucks
  - stick to LinuxDoc because DocBook sucks

The HOWTOs are now provided in both LinuxDoc and DocBook; however for
the moment we can only accept LinuxDoc source for the HOWTOs.

In the next weeks both DocBook and LinuxDoc sgml source will be
accepted.

We are currently testing DocBook output formats.

You can already submit your DocBook only document which will be put in
the DOCBOOK section. (a new major section, like FAQs and HOWTOs)

  - "tables don't scale to window size and resolution and 10 pt font
    size is hardcoded

Our webmasters are working on these problems.

  - How can I submit my work to the LDP? (http://??? HOWTO HOWTO)

3 possibilities depending of the format:

a. you can write in LinuxDoc : call your document an HOWTO
b. you can write in DocBook : call your document a DOCBOOK :-)
c. you are a master of TeX/LaTeX, pdf or any specific format : call your
   document a GUIDE or a FAQ, depending on its contents.

Please use a license compatible with our requirements (GNU Free
Documentation License is IMHO the best choice but feel free to take any
other license) and mail your document to ldp-submit@lists.linuxdoc.org

If your LinuxDoc or DocBook source contains errors, I'm sorry but we
won't process the document.

Please test it first

  - You should check the documents : FIXED

We already do!

Since november, a peer reviewer team is trying to proofread each
submitted document.

However, there are far too many docs submitted to ldp-submit for our
small team to adequately proofread each document. If you would like to
help us please subscribe to ldp-submit
(mail ldp-submit-request@lists.linuxdoc.org).

  - XXXX and YYYY HOWTOs are outdated/unmaintained
    (http://www.linuxdoc.org/sorted_howtos.html)

Please update the document and submit the new version to the LDP if the
license allows modifications.

We will be happy to include your new version (News HOWTO and SCSI HOWTO
are especially old!).

  - I just found ZZZZ HOWTO which is not part of the LDP yet

Then please contact the author and ask him to send his document to
ldp-submit@lists.linuxdoc.org

Chances are we will include it, unless it contains errors, has a non
free license, or duplicates an existing document.

  - license problem, GNU/Linux... FIXED (http://??? manifesto license guide)

We have a manifesto and a license guide on the first page.

Both are currently being revised.

We will not impose any license but rather have some criteria and
requirements (free redistribution for ex.)

And if you don't like "LDP", just remember netscape/mozilla : it's
written LDP but it reads GNU Linux Documentation Project.

				  *

Writing documentation is not as sexy as writing software
(To quote a slashdotter, "Honestly, how many users want to read
documentation? How many of them see a fat manual and feel happy?")

We do need more authors. Unfortunately, not everyone can be a good
author. It requires a combination of writing skills, technical
knowledge, and the willingness to accept criticism that improves your
final product.  Thank you all for your responses--we hope that you
continue to let us know your opinions on the LDP.

-- 
Guylhem P. Aznar                               http://www.linuxdoc.org
guylhem \@/ metalab.unc.edu             http://metalab.unc.edu/guylhem
"They who can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary
safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."  -----  Benjamin Franklin

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