Re: jrb's help ideas

[David Merrill <david lupercalia net>]

On Tue, Sep 04, 2001 at 01:23:54AM +0000, Mikael Hallendal wrote:
> m_ 2001-09-03 klockan 23.09 skrev Gregory Leblanc:
> > On Mon, 2001-09-03 at 15:34, David Merrill wrote:
> > > Philosophically, it seems entirely right that the help system should
> > > be powered by a *server*, not compiled by a *client*, and that that
> > > server should be a relatively low level system function, and not
> > > implemented in the gui.
> > 
> > Philosophically, I agree with you 100%.  However, time is -very- short
> > for GNOME 2.0, and I don't think we've got time to do this before then. 
> > If I had my way, the XSLT implementation wouldn't be in the help browser
> > either, but it doesn't look like we'll even manage that.
> > 	Greg
> 
> I also agree, though I don't think that this server should be limited to
> serv HTML. It should be able to serv some XML-based format that can be
> used in the help browser and HTML too, if you want to use a
> html-browser.
> 
> But I agree with greg's other posting that we are indeed a graphical
> desktop and therefor can make some assumptions about how the users will
> use the help system.

I think that you are making an arbitrary distinction between Gnome
help, specifically, and the rest of the help that should be available
in the overall system. I think that is a natural viewpoint informed by
your status as Gnome developers.

As someone who isn't a Gnome developer, I see the balkanization of
Gnome help vs. KDE help vs. LDP help as a Very Bad Thing. It doesn't
serve the user, which is in my view the definition of a Bad Thing.

So, just because *you* are a graphical desktop, doesn't mean the help
system should revolve around *you*. I am really, really not trying to
start an argument on this issue. Those of you who have worked with me
at the LDP or elsewhere hopefully know that I am only interested in
making Linux better for users.

If you feel you need to take a Gnome-specific approach in order to be
ready for Gnome 2.0, then so be it. I still think the long term
solution is one that is not Gnome specific, and I will continue to
work toward that.

-- 
Dr. David C. Merrill                     http://www.lupercalia.net
Linux Documentation Project                   david lupercalia net
Collection Editor & Coordinator            http://www.linuxdoc.org

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