On Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:28:38 -0700, Darren New wrote:

> On 4/19/2011 11:04, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> If it isn't especially complicated, then why do you have problems
>> understanding what some of the options do or are for?
> 
> Bazinga?

:)

>> Have you written a word processor?  Do you know how much work and
>> testing goes into creating something like MS Word or OpenOffice Writer?
> 
> Actually, I think there's probably more work than most OSS projects
> would want to spend just getting the documentation right.

Yes, I think that's likely.

>>> Of course, OpenOffice has no documentation either. But then you're
>>> just grateful to be getting a reasonably good bit of software for
>>> free...
>>
>> I find the built-in help to be pretty useful myself.
> 
> Ever notice how the OSS projects that *really* take off are the ones
> that have good documentation?  And the ones that limp along on three
> paws are the ones where you scour the internet to find half-ass
> tutorials on the version five years old?

I would agree that documentation is important - but also usability and 
stability are probably equal factors.  Good documentation with crap 
software doesn't really go far either.

Jim

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