[mythtv-users] Mailing list and a Wiki... and a dessert topping

[Maarten van den Berg]

On Monday 17 May 2004 22:53, Isaac Richards wrote:
> On Monday 17 May 2004 04:15 pm, David wrote:

> >   http://www.mythtv.info/
> > )
>
> And let me point out that this isn't offical, nor will I link to from the
> main website.

Isaac, you're my hero, since you wrote this fantastic software and I love you.
But you have some truly strange concepts about some things...


Well, that's real helpful, you not linking to them, and neither to Jarod...  
So let's look at what you DO link to (or host yourself), why don't we ...? 
For instance, what is this "Topics" link in mythtv.org ?  
( http://www.mythtv.org/modules.php?name=Topics ) 

Hey, it sure looks like a "Forum". Well, to be more precise, a readonly, 
moderated, and painfully empty forum.  So is this more like your idea of 
managing docs ?  Excluding highly useful docs from your site yet leaving an 
unhelpful (even confusing; I know, I've been there, was a newbie...) "Topics" 
section in there which looks like it has only been there less than a week but 
isn't. 
Where is the logic in that ?  And who's going to populate the gaping empty 
Topics sections ?  You ?  With respect, but I don't think so.  
Don't you think it is time to let go and see what the community can do, 
documentation-wise, on their own preferred "platform" ?
I mean, what is the use of the "Topics" site, do we have to submit a cvs patch 
in order to get something contributed there ?  This happening is highly 
unlikely, and it stifles end-user contribution.  Plaintext or no plaintext.

> If you want to work on docs, contribute back to the official docs.  Don't
> fragment the effort by using random wikis.

Sorry but I'm getting fed up.  Would you please care to tell me where you want 
all these random contributions to go in the official doc 'cause I don't see 
it belonging in a main doc, much less where:  
* How to silence your system * What to tune your cards to when in <country X>
* What to do when your remote xyz is seemingly sending random garbage to lirc
* How to build mythtv on <random distribution>  * What to do if your font size 
doesn't change a friggin' thing to the display  *  How to remove recording 
profiles  *  Realize that the docs do NOT describe the official release, but 
the bleeding edge cvs version instead.

That last point is SO confusing, for newbies and power users alike, that the 
mailinglist alone is buried in "Why does button X not do what it's supposed 
to do" -type posts.  Very good that the docs are up to date, sure, but aren't 
we jumping the gun a bit here ?

If you really want to be adamant in keeping all the docs on your site and not 
anywhere else, maybe you should take the first step and make it possible to 
register and contribute to http://www.mythtv.org/modules.php?name=Topics.  
It IS on your site, so it IS an officially supported doc feature, right ? 
If not, why is it even there ??  It's not like its helping anyone, is it ?

Maarten

P.S.: Before the flames start, read my first sentence again please ;-)

> Isaac