<div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div class="HOEnZb"><div class="h5">Well, that certainly stirred up the hornets nest! One of the best things about MythTV (and other Linux/UNIX apps) is the</div>
</div>
involvement of a huge range of users and developers who come to the aid of other struggling users with (mostly) helpful<br>
comments and suggestions.<br>
<br>
The comments have been very valid, and yes, I could have just installed the MythTV packages. However, I'd still have<br>
this (<a href="http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/525274" target="_blank">http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/525274</a>) problem. Last time I used the distribution packages I<br>
had another sound issue (or was it the dreaded lirc?) which I could only resolve with the latest source at the<br>
time. Marius Ducea has some very apt comments here (<a href="http://www.ducea.com/2008/01/16/source-or-package-install/" target="_blank">http://www.ducea.com/2008/01/16/source-or-package-install/</a>). I want<br>
to unclutter the MythTV menus and not install packages that I don't use so a source build is needed. I'd also still have<br>
to fix this (<a href="https://bugs.launchpad.net/mythbuntu/+bug/1004974" target="_blank">https://bugs.launchpad.net/mythbuntu/+bug/1004974</a>) to fix the Mythbuntu theme which a "user" (ie. spouse)<br>
spotted within two minutes of using the new system.<br><br></blockquote><div><br></div><div>I think we can all agree that Mythtv documentation is lacking somewhat. Please don't take this the wrong way, but rather than asking someone else to improve it, why don't you make it your personal mission. Perhaps write a distribution agnostic compile-from-source guide (with notes for saving time on your distro by using precompiled dependancies). Sure, it will take a while, especially because your actually trying to figure everything out as you go.</div>
<div><br></div><div>The reason that such documentation doesn't exist is because almost no one does this, and those that do have no need for documentation. Perhaps you can outline the reasons why someone would want to build it manually.</div>
<div><br></div><div>I know I have had reason to build from source in the past, to test a patch for example. My first time through I was helped on the IRC channel, and of course I didn't take notes so when it came up again I chose to just not bother and wait for the patch to get added to trunk. Perhaps your guide would actually encourage more people to participate in the development and testing of Mythtv?</div>
<div><br></div><div>Good luck!</div></div>