Re: wish list -> My personal Debian User Manual Generator
> the boot floppy disk)). Most documents found do not suite debian to
> 100%, that would not be the case in that generator.
...
> and as you said is you said, the scripts searching for valid information
> is pretty easy, but the structure of the database will have the most
> importance for the whole thing to work.
Agreed! The database structure is the most important thing of all.
Essentially the core of the problem seems to be one of information
classification. What are the core descriptors of a problem/solution scenario -
how to normalise the data such that a search can be made useful? To
automatically generate a manual for someone, you need to be able to break
their needs (query) down into it's composite parts which means proper
organisation of the data.
I feel before anyone starts talking technology or output document formats, one
has to take a very general look at the situation such that when new
technologies or operating systems etc. are introduced (for example, biometric
devices) one won't have to rewrite the system from scratch or hack it to bits.
I mean if the data is put into such a system correctly, the output document
format can be just about anything! :)
If for example someone is trying to find a solution for working with Foobar
Corp's new Model X device under environment A.. and someone has a solution for
working with Foobar Corp's older Model T device under environment B - the
database should be able to try and find the closest similarities and show the
instructions for the Model T - flagging that it may not be the solution.
Also your point about "most documents found do not suite (sic) debian to 100%"
is true - however to discard this information is not good - having the
facility to describe it as "not 100% suitable for debian but worth reading" in
the event that someone hasn't yet written a debian solution would be great.
Indeed writing the system from the word go to be "Debian" specific could be
damaging to the system's popularity - if you could keep it general and
generate enough interest in it, you could have vendors entering information
directly into the system..
Anyway - just my ramblings :)
ADFH
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