RBase Printed Documentation

[Enrique Wintergerst]

Printing documentation from a PDF file is not as good as getting an actual printed document.  It is easy for a printer qith Docutech to create a copy, but of course, it is cheaper to make 50 copies than one.  And Docutech will bind it for you.  So, this day and age I cannot see why we can't get printed copies from the publisher of the software.   But that is not the real issue.   The real issue is the quality of the documentation.  With no table of contents nor index, it is very hard to find information.  There are several softwares out there that can facilitate the creation of documentation with these features plus footnotes, cross reference, etc.  One that I am familiar with is Scientific Word from MacKichan Software (see www.mackichan.com), but Ventura Publisher from Corel or Framemaker from Adobe may do.   The reason I got hooked on RBase years ago was that I took a course at the university where we used RBase AND when I got the product, there were at least 5 books that came with it.  Although in those days there was no internet and no user group to help, the documentation was very helpful.  By the way, I got a student copy of RBase that came with an easy to understand book.   Of what use is a Ferrari if the speed limit is 35?  Of what use is RBase to NEW users if they cannot understand how to get started.  I tried convincing someone of the benefits of RBase.  This person was a user of Access and one thing he argued every single time was "where can I read how to do that"?    I am convinced that the right documentaion may be the catalyst RBase needs to go to the next level in terms of number of users.  Right now it seems to be a product for gurus.  If you have not used the product for a long time, there is no way to jump start you.  You just have to use trial and error.   RBase for DUMMIES.  That is what is needed.  If I could not convince my brother who I believe is pretty smart to use RBase, how can I convince anyone else?  Every single time the questions are: AND HOW DO I DO THAT AND WHERE CAN I FIND HOW TO DO THAT IN THE DOCUMENTATION?   I know that creating the documentaion is no easy task, but IT IS NEEDED.   I suggest you get a copy of any of the textbooks from Course Technology (http://www.course.com/) on Access.  You will understand what I mean.  See http://www.course.com/catalog/product.cfm?category=Databases&subcategory=Microsoft%20Access%202002&isbn=0-619-05883-8 for a more complete example of a book that is easy to follow.   Just think of when any of you got started with RBase.  Do you believe that the current documentation would have helped you get to where you are today?   Enrique Wintergerst