I strongly believe that our problem solving process (for binc) should always start with the log files. Frequently, we can only make wild speculations and need the information in the log files to improve our speculations.
Consequently, I have three requests:
1. Can we establish a protocol that there is no log information that we always reply to requests for help with a "What do the logs say?"?
2. Can we add the "http://lifewithbincimap.org/index.php/Main/HelpItDoesntWork"; link to
a. the installation instructions
b. several places in the FAQ, including as a separate topic
c. the binc home page (http://www.bincimap.org/), maybe next to the FAQ (same line) and in the "Discussions" section
These are the places that came to mind immediately: it probably should be posted other places.
3. Can solicit for a few volunteers to update "Help, It Doesn't Work" whenever a encounter and solve a new type of problem? I think that if we have 2-4 people that are thinking about updating the problem resolution procedures that we quickly cover 99% of the problems that people encounter when using binc. I (of course) would be one of the volunteers.
BTW, I am thinking about copying/transforming some of the FAQ (e.g the "Server broke..." question) into the "Help, It Doesn't Work" pages. However, I do not like the idea of maintaining two different versions of the same information because then both versions have to be updated when something changes. What are your thoughts on this and how would you like to proceed.
Regards, Henry
ps. This message might really belong on the binc-dev list. HB
-- Henry Baragar Principal, Technical Architecture 416-453-5626 Instantiated Software Inc. http://www.instantiated.ca
