Idea from the VSE world: IESMSGS & Explain function. Part of the VSE systems
itself, but each vendor has the ability to add to the IESMSGS file, if they
follow the rules for message format and use the utility functions for adding
message.

In the Linux world, doesn't the MAN function perform the same role? Isn't
there a means of adding to the file that MAN accesses? Shouldn't the various
vendors be able to provide, as part of their install process, the procedure
to meger their MAN updates into the central MAN respository?


Garry
-----Original Message-----
From: David Goodenough [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2002 2:13 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Messages Manual


I am not sure it is that is not warranted, rather that the code comes from
such disparate places that it would be logistically very difficult to
collate and maintain.  At least with a single vendor changes are managed,
and so documentation updates are controllable.  This does make it a bad
thing to want to do, just a very difficult one.  Add to that the well known
fact that programmers do not like witing documentation and you have the
current Linux situation.  Of course not only does Linux itself come from
many places, but Linux is only the kernel, and all the other bits need to
be considered too.  Then it all needs to be NLS enabled, and we start to
see why comercial software is so expensive and the documentation so out of
date.  I suppose what is needed is a bright idea to make it painless, and
then at least there would no longer be the excuse that it is all too hard.
This is really a wider question than just messages.  Anyone got such an
idea?




                    Paul Kaufman
                    <paul.kaufman@ve        To:     [EMAIL PROTECTED]
                    rizon.com>              cc:
                    Sent by: Linux          Subject:     Re: Messages Manual
                    on 390 Port
                    <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
                    RIST.EDU>


                    02/04/02 12:18
                    PM
                    Please respond
                    to Linux on 390
                    Port






I supported MVS back in the days when we had source for it.  I talked with
a few people who supported VM when they had source for it as well.  We also
had messages and codes manuals.  Our experiences are that using messages
and codes manuals is a more efficient way to solve problems than reading
the source.

Many people seem to be saying that a Linux messages manual is not warranted
because you can read the source.  Are these statements based on experience
supporting a large corporate IT department?


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