Discussion:
About/Getting started/Getting involved handbooks
Addison Berry
2008-08-10 11:39:46 UTC
Permalink
OK, so here is the last major discussion point that came out of the
August 8 IRC meeting. Sorry for spamming the docs list. ;-)

As mentioned in the Summary email we raised the subject of what do
about the new Getting Involved book in relation to the existing About
and Getting Started books. The two options we were discussing were:

1. Create the new book in addition to About. Rework the About book.
2. Have the new book replace the About book. Move non-contributing
kinds of things to Getting started.

The idea/argument behind #1 is that we would retain an About book and
that the contents of it would be shifted to focusing on information
for "evaluator" types. This would have things like an overview of what
this Drupal thing is and "marketing" stuff for lack of a better term -
things like the Case studies/showcase site listing and "press" kinda
stuff, if it exists. This wouldn't be a big book.

Option #2 is to just not have an About book anymore. We would "take it
over" for the new Getting Involved book and move anything that isn't
for Getting Involved into the Getting Started book instead.

My feeling is, and general IRC discussion leaned towards, option #1.
The reasoning for that is that I feel like the Getting Started book
should be mostly focused on actually doing stuff to get started and
not have lots of extra information to sift through. I'd prefer that
stuff about Drupal be in an "About" book and stuff about actually
using Drupal be in the "Getting Started" book.

We need to make a decision on this relatively soon, as we hope to
launch the new Getting Involved book in the next few weeks. So, PLEASE
DISCUSS.
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
Brenda Boggs
2008-08-11 01:57:49 UTC
Permalink
I also like option #1. The "About" section needs to be prominent,
something evaluators can find very quickly, and that'd really be easiest
if it's in it's own section. The description needs to be more clear on
what exactly is in the section. Maybe even something along the lines
of, "Before You Start" rather than "About". If nothing else, a few
prominent links such as a section on "What Can Drupal Do?" or what have
you on the main handbook page.

Brenda
Post by Addison Berry
OK, so here is the last major discussion point that came out of the
August 8 IRC meeting. Sorry for spamming the docs list. ;-)
As mentioned in the Summary email we raised the subject of what do
about the new Getting Involved book in relation to the existing About
1. Create the new book in addition to About. Rework the About book.
2. Have the new book replace the About book. Move non-contributing
kinds of things to Getting started.
The idea/argument behind #1 is that we would retain an About book and
that the contents of it would be shifted to focusing on information
for "evaluator" types. This would have things like an overview of what
this Drupal thing is and "marketing" stuff for lack of a better term -
things like the Case studies/showcase site listing and "press" kinda
stuff, if it exists. This wouldn't be a big book.
Option #2 is to just not have an About book anymore. We would "take it
over" for the new Getting Involved book and move anything that isn't
for Getting Involved into the Getting Started book instead.
My feeling is, and general IRC discussion leaned towards, option #1.
The reasoning for that is that I feel like the Getting Started book
should be mostly focused on actually doing stuff to get started and
not have lots of extra information to sift through. I'd prefer that
stuff about Drupal be in an "About" book and stuff about actually
using Drupal be in the "Getting Started" book.
We need to make a decision on this relatively soon, as we hope to
launch the new Getting Involved book in the next few weeks. So, PLEASE
DISCUSS.
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
Trevor Twining
2008-08-11 11:15:22 UTC
Permalink
I agree; option 1 provides the focus in both use cases where it needs to be.
Post by Brenda Boggs
I also like option #1. The "About" section needs to be prominent,
something evaluators can find very quickly, and that'd really be easiest
if it's in it's own section. The description needs to be more clear on
what exactly is in the section. Maybe even something along the lines
of, "Before You Start" rather than "About". If nothing else, a few
prominent links such as a section on "What Can Drupal Do?" or what have
you on the main handbook page.
Brenda
Post by Addison Berry
OK, so here is the last major discussion point that came out of the
August 8 IRC meeting. Sorry for spamming the docs list. ;-)
As mentioned in the Summary email we raised the subject of what do
about the new Getting Involved book in relation to the existing About
1. Create the new book in addition to About. Rework the About book.
2. Have the new book replace the About book. Move non-contributing
kinds of things to Getting started.
The idea/argument behind #1 is that we would retain an About book and
that the contents of it would be shifted to focusing on information
for "evaluator" types. This would have things like an overview of what
this Drupal thing is and "marketing" stuff for lack of a better term -
things like the Case studies/showcase site listing and "press" kinda
stuff, if it exists. This wouldn't be a big book.
Option #2 is to just not have an About book anymore. We would "take it
over" for the new Getting Involved book and move anything that isn't
for Getting Involved into the Getting Started book instead.
My feeling is, and general IRC discussion leaned towards, option #1.
The reasoning for that is that I feel like the Getting Started book
should be mostly focused on actually doing stuff to get started and
not have lots of extra information to sift through. I'd prefer that
stuff about Drupal be in an "About" book and stuff about actually
using Drupal be in the "Getting Started" book.
We need to make a decision on this relatively soon, as we hope to
launch the new Getting Involved book in the next few weeks. So, PLEASE
DISCUSS.
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
Steven Peck
2008-08-11 16:08:36 UTC
Permalink
Haven't we had this discussion several times already?

I had thought the About Drupal was to be about the Drupal community /
drupal.org and that all the marketing gunk that no one ever works on
more then few minutes would be separated out?

I know we've had people volunteer to do it before but then they go
poof 3 days later.

Steven

On Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM, Brenda Boggs
Post by Brenda Boggs
I also like option #1. The "About" section needs to be prominent,
something evaluators can find very quickly, and that'd really be easiest
if it's in it's own section. The description needs to be more clear on
what exactly is in the section. Maybe even something along the lines
of, "Before You Start" rather than "About". If nothing else, a few
prominent links such as a section on "What Can Drupal Do?" or what have
you on the main handbook page.
Brenda
Post by Addison Berry
OK, so here is the last major discussion point that came out of the
August 8 IRC meeting. Sorry for spamming the docs list. ;-)
As mentioned in the Summary email we raised the subject of what do
about the new Getting Involved book in relation to the existing About
1. Create the new book in addition to About. Rework the About book.
2. Have the new book replace the About book. Move non-contributing
kinds of things to Getting started.
The idea/argument behind #1 is that we would retain an About book and
that the contents of it would be shifted to focusing on information
for "evaluator" types. This would have things like an overview of what
this Drupal thing is and "marketing" stuff for lack of a better term -
things like the Case studies/showcase site listing and "press" kinda
stuff, if it exists. This wouldn't be a big book.
Option #2 is to just not have an About book anymore. We would "take it
over" for the new Getting Involved book and move anything that isn't
for Getting Involved into the Getting Started book instead.
My feeling is, and general IRC discussion leaned towards, option #1.
The reasoning for that is that I feel like the Getting Started book
should be mostly focused on actually doing stuff to get started and
not have lots of extra information to sift through. I'd prefer that
stuff about Drupal be in an "About" book and stuff about actually
using Drupal be in the "Getting Started" book.
We need to make a decision on this relatively soon, as we hope to
launch the new Getting Involved book in the next few weeks. So, PLEASE
DISCUSS.
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
--
Brenda Boggs
Drupal Consulting and Web Development
http://www.alligatorsneeze.com
P: 760.201.3550
IM: denel003
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
Addison Berry
2008-08-12 20:38:48 UTC
Permalink
Well, I've had the conversation once before and it was left that we
would probably get rid of the About book and just split it up between
Getting started and the new one. I changed my feelings on it with more
time to contemplate it and now that we are preparing to actually do
the major reorg very soon, I wanted to make sure we were all on board
with how we should do it.

I'm not really concerned about "marketing people" and what they do or
do not do/want to do, but I do want the material we already have to be
easier for evaluators to find.

Basically I just wanted to be clear, myself, on whether to "take over"
the About book for the new one or not. Seems like the general idea is
not. That is the main clarification that I needed.

- Addi
Post by Steven Peck
Haven't we had this discussion several times already?
I had thought the About Drupal was to be about the Drupal community /
drupal.org and that all the marketing gunk that no one ever works on
more then few minutes would be separated out?
I know we've had people volunteer to do it before but then they go
poof 3 days later.
Steven
On Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM, Brenda Boggs
Post by Brenda Boggs
I also like option #1. The "About" section needs to be prominent,
something evaluators can find very quickly, and that'd really be easiest
if it's in it's own section. The description needs to be more clear on
what exactly is in the section. Maybe even something along the lines
of, "Before You Start" rather than "About". If nothing else, a few
prominent links such as a section on "What Can Drupal Do?" or what have
you on the main handbook page.
Brenda
Post by Addison Berry
OK, so here is the last major discussion point that came out of the
August 8 IRC meeting. Sorry for spamming the docs list. ;-)
As mentioned in the Summary email we raised the subject of what do
about the new Getting Involved book in relation to the existing About
1. Create the new book in addition to About. Rework the About book.
2. Have the new book replace the About book. Move non-contributing
kinds of things to Getting started.
The idea/argument behind #1 is that we would retain an About book and
that the contents of it would be shifted to focusing on information
for "evaluator" types. This would have things like an overview of what
this Drupal thing is and "marketing" stuff for lack of a better term -
things like the Case studies/showcase site listing and "press" kinda
stuff, if it exists. This wouldn't be a big book.
Option #2 is to just not have an About book anymore. We would "take it
over" for the new Getting Involved book and move anything that isn't
for Getting Involved into the Getting Started book instead.
My feeling is, and general IRC discussion leaned towards, option #1.
The reasoning for that is that I feel like the Getting Started book
should be mostly focused on actually doing stuff to get started and
not have lots of extra information to sift through. I'd prefer that
stuff about Drupal be in an "About" book and stuff about actually
using Drupal be in the "Getting Started" book.
We need to make a decision on this relatively soon, as we hope to
launch the new Getting Involved book in the next few weeks. So, PLEASE
DISCUSS.
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
--
Brenda Boggs
Drupal Consulting and Web Development
http://www.alligatorsneeze.com
P: 760.201.3550
IM: denel003
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
Steven Peck
2008-08-12 22:00:34 UTC
Permalink
By all means, take it over. It's a random collection of things
already but has a trafficked well known url /about.

I would like to see a refined missions / statement of purpose for it
to help people in future determine what goes in it. I will clear up
one for the Getting Started one myself and try and post it soonish as
well.

Anything that doesn't fit in the new clear guidelines for /about would
go in a new book. Does that work?

We could tag in the log that it is owned by .... you?
Post by Addison Berry
Well, I've had the conversation once before and it was left that we
would probably get rid of the About book and just split it up between
Getting started and the new one. I changed my feelings on it with more
time to contemplate it and now that we are preparing to actually do
the major reorg very soon, I wanted to make sure we were all on board
with how we should do it.
I'm not really concerned about "marketing people" and what they do or
do not do/want to do, but I do want the material we already have to be
easier for evaluators to find.
Basically I just wanted to be clear, myself, on whether to "take over"
the About book for the new one or not. Seems like the general idea is
not. That is the main clarification that I needed.
- Addi
Post by Steven Peck
Haven't we had this discussion several times already?
I had thought the About Drupal was to be about the Drupal community /
drupal.org and that all the marketing gunk that no one ever works on
more then few minutes would be separated out?
I know we've had people volunteer to do it before but then they go
poof 3 days later.
Steven
On Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM, Brenda Boggs
Post by Brenda Boggs
I also like option #1. The "About" section needs to be prominent,
something evaluators can find very quickly, and that'd really be easiest
if it's in it's own section. The description needs to be more clear on
what exactly is in the section. Maybe even something along the lines
of, "Before You Start" rather than "About". If nothing else, a few
prominent links such as a section on "What Can Drupal Do?" or what have
you on the main handbook page.
Brenda
Post by Addison Berry
OK, so here is the last major discussion point that came out of the
August 8 IRC meeting. Sorry for spamming the docs list. ;-)
As mentioned in the Summary email we raised the subject of what do
about the new Getting Involved book in relation to the existing About
1. Create the new book in addition to About. Rework the About book.
2. Have the new book replace the About book. Move non-contributing
kinds of things to Getting started.
The idea/argument behind #1 is that we would retain an About book and
that the contents of it would be shifted to focusing on information
for "evaluator" types. This would have things like an overview of what
this Drupal thing is and "marketing" stuff for lack of a better term -
things like the Case studies/showcase site listing and "press" kinda
stuff, if it exists. This wouldn't be a big book.
Option #2 is to just not have an About book anymore. We would "take it
over" for the new Getting Involved book and move anything that isn't
for Getting Involved into the Getting Started book instead.
My feeling is, and general IRC discussion leaned towards, option #1.
The reasoning for that is that I feel like the Getting Started book
should be mostly focused on actually doing stuff to get started and
not have lots of extra information to sift through. I'd prefer that
stuff about Drupal be in an "About" book and stuff about actually
using Drupal be in the "Getting Started" book.
We need to make a decision on this relatively soon, as we hope to
launch the new Getting Involved book in the next few weeks. So, PLEASE
DISCUSS.
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
--
Brenda Boggs
Drupal Consulting and Web Development
http://www.alligatorsneeze.com
P: 760.201.3550
IM: denel003
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/
--
Pending work: http://drupal.org/project/issues/documentation/
List archives: http://lists.drupal.org/pipermail/documentation/

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