Re: Is there a need for OpenBSD documentation

[Luke Seubert <lseubert@radix.net>]

LiNT on 09/04/2000 5:26 PM scribbled:

> There seems to be some significant interest in
> getting this project going. I'm glad to hear it,
> I would really like to see this. Has anyone
> asked Theo's opinion on this? Sure the idea is
> great but I think it would be hard to implement
> successfully without support from "above". As
> far as I know Theo pretty much controls the
> distribution and I can't imagine Theo would want
> to take on too much more work.
> 
This is an excellent point.  Rest assured that I have every intention of
running all of this past Theo and the senior team before proceeding.  I have
not done so yet, because so far this idea is in the early brainstorming
stage.  (I also think this stage is coming to a close.) I don't want to
bother these busy people with half baked ideas.

It is my intention to write up a detailed project proposal, incorporating
the ideas from the mailing list brainstorming session.  Once that is
written, and there is something solid for Theo and the OpenBSD team to look
at, I will present it to them for their feedback. I will also present this
proposal to the larger OpenBSD community as well.

> On another note, directed mostly towards Luke,
> what would be included in the binder? Obviously
> the man pages and the FAQ, but what else?
>
Check out some of my more recent posts in this thread.  There is some
further discussion of this.

Briefly, there is much more than just the man pages on the CD and the FAQ on
the website.  There are also documents included under misc and text from the
install process that feature such things as the System Manager's Manual.
Check under the usr/share/doc directory.

In addition to these more advanced documents, I would like to develop an
extensive newbie install and intro section. All this is still up in the air
though. 


> Looking at the FreeBSD handbook I can come up
> with a couple ideas that _I_ would like to see.
> Of course, I'm coming from a mostly unix newbie
> position and I don't know if some of the more
> advanced users would appreciate newbie
> information. Couple that to the fact that your
> limited to around 300 pages or so. Anyways, I'll
> include the list of things I'd like to see
> below. You can also count me in on helping out.
> I'd love to help getting this project going even
> if I end up doing some grunt work.
> 
Many thanks for your kind offer to help, and for your suggestions from the
FreeBSD Handbook.  Don't worry, I am a newbie too - that is why I am
interested in developing a really good hard copy manual for OpenBSD - in
part to help educate myself about the system.

Anyway, I will put you onto the volunteer list and you will be kept up to
date with emails.

I have wondered if multiple manuals are in order.  Let's just say that one
can order really large manuals, but that such a beast might not be the best
solution.  All these matters will be aired out and discussed at the
appropriate time.

-- 

Luke Seubert


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