Re: PROPOSAL: UISG Menu Line Standardization

[JR Tipton <nails maybe net>]

On Mon, 10 Aug 1998, George wrote:
> I don't think most people understand this ...
> 
> if you want docs ... you write em ...
> 
> if I feel like my apps hould be documented ... I'll write some docs ... if
> I don't ... I won't ... I'll wait for someone to do it ...

Where are you coming from on this one?  *This* is the attitude that killed
the Unices in the first place, and *this* is the attitude that could kill
the Unices' last chance.

If I want to know how to spell a word, I look it up; I don't write my own
personal dictionary by frantically searching every paper I can find that
uses that word... which is exactly what stereotypical Unix weenies have 
done forever.

If I want to know how to fix a part on my car, I look it up; I don't try
everything possible until something *seems* like it works... which is
exactly what stereotypical Unix weenies have done forever.

If you bought X at the store and it had some assembly required before you
could use it, you would expect a manual for X.  If they included a tag
that said, "figure it out and then *you* write the documentation," you
wouldn't purchase another thing from them.  If GNOME applications come
deliviered with a note that says, "figure it out," I'll be the first (of 
thousands) to choose the commercial world.

Write the documentation.  The users will love you for it.

There is no argument to that.

william r. tipton