Re: obsolete wiki (was: no /etc/inittab)
On Mon 14 Aug 2017 at 16:33:40 -0400, Felix Miata wrote:
> Brian composed on 2017-08-14 20:22 (UTC+0100):
>
> > So - what should be done about the wiki? Surely, that is the thrust of
> > the OP's question. Altering the wiki page is relatively straightforward.
> > A single user (or group of users) trying to alter the init system policy
> > is doomed to failure, no matter how vociferous they are.
>
> > Many complain about documentation. When control of it is put in their
> > hands they stand back and do nothing. Going for the "easy" targets is
> > more compelling.
>
> The problem with software documentation wikis is the people in best position to
> know what they should contain have no incentive to do the update work. To write
> useful docs requires knowledge what should be in them. That knowledge is mostly
> possessed by those writing and changing code, those who /caused/ the need to
> update docs.
Knowledge is confined to those who know what they are doing? They are
the ones in charge? It is not for us ordinary mortals to spread or
interpret it? Some politians and priests are with you. Disseminating
knowledge is only for the few.
> What's needed is incentive for code creators to simultaneously document, with
> ample examples that man pages usually omit, even if it's only in formal,
> non-wikified docs that wikis can point to.
It always looks good to place the responsibility on someone else.
> Thus we see by their nature that wikis cannot be depended upon to be up to date.
> Most should be used as little more than a starting point from which to confirm
> elsewhere from whatever clues they provide.
Wiki pages cannot be depended upon to be up-to-date when nobody does
anything. I take it you are not up for altering the Init page?
--
Brian.
> --
> "The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant
> words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation)
>
> Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks!
>
> Felix Miata *** http://fm.no-ip.com/
>
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