I think Enrique makes a very good point. I got started almost the same way and became a developer from utilizing all the great data in the 4.5+ manuals.
I know the material in David Blocker's books has been instrumental in assisting me to bring new developers up to speed but that is not widely available. I know the collective experience of those on this list has been invaluable to me personally and by flow on, to my clients. Aside from documenting the do's and don'ts of each command there is abundant opportunity to expand usage by the inclusion of code snippets, not normally a part of standard documentation. I know RBTI's resources are not unlimited and wish there was some way to capture all the data available from multiple sources into a single information repository, a collaborative effort if you will, that utilizes our willingness to assist each other to facilitate a documentation project that could be a major turning point in the education of new and not so new developers. If there is a medium available that would permit submission to a data repository from multiple sources, have multiple content editors, (one for forms, one for reports etc.) and allow a variety of data access and printing formats then we would be off to a great start. Anyone know of a better tool with which to create such a beast apart from a relational database? At 22:50 27/06/02 -0700, you wrote: >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 <http://www.mackichan.com>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/>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>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 > > > > Warmest regards, Tom Grimshaw coy: Just For You Software tel: 612 9552 3311 fax: 612 9566 2164 mobile: 0414 675 903 post: PO Box 470 Glebe NSW 2037 Australia street: 3/66 Wentworth Park Rd Glebe NSW 2037 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: www.just4usoftware.com.au "... the control of impulse -- is the first principle of civilization."-- Will Durant, Pulitzer Prize winning philosopher, writer and historian the most needed product in the world can be found at www.thewaytohappiness.org This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential to the intended recipient and may be privileged. If you have received this email inadvertently or you are not the intended recipient, you may not disseminate, distribute, copy or in any way rely on it. Further, you should notify the sender immediately and delete the email from your computer. 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