Re: [mv] RE: your email

[ericho@vantixnet.com (Erich Oliphant)]

I think the docs could use some help.  I'm sure once you're up to speed and
know your way around they are fine, but when you are starting out they are
pretty confusing.  For me the tag ref. could be enhanced.  Alphabetical and
subject indicies and full documentation of tag options.  For instance, I am
currently working my way through the [loop] tag.  The search attribute is
documented by example, I figured that "se" is "search element/entry" and
"sf" is "search field".  In the simple store the browse.html page the search
attribute uses "ra=yes" and explains that "ra" corresponds to
"mv_return_all".  What's "mv_return_all"?  There are some "mv_..."
directives in the searching section but I haven't see that one.  It's just a
little disjointed.

I don't mean to complain, but clearer docs would make MV all the better for
the new folk.  Maybe we could start a bug/suggestion list for the docs.
Once I am more conversant with this thing I would gladly lend a hand to
support any documentation upgrades.


----- Original Message -----
From: Christopher Thompson <ct@arborinternet.com>
To: <minivend-users@minivend.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2000 12:33 PM
Subject: RE: [mv] RE: your email


> ******    message to minivend-users from "Christopher Thompson"
<ct@arborinternet.com>     ******
>
> As a guy who started and failed on a previous Minivend documentation
> effort, I thought I'd throw in my two cents:
>
> - I think Minivend documentation is good. I find answers as quickly in the
> Minivend docs as in other docs. Plus this mail list is very helpful.
>
> - Minivend is easy to use. It is a development system, not an application
> (like say Softcart). It has the same learning curve as other development
> systems. Installation is very easy thanks to Mike's ever improving install
> script.
>
> - I seriously doubt consultants will lose any work if the documentation
> improved. I have no clients who have any interest in learning any
> development system. They just want a website that does what they need for
> their business.
>
> - I use Minivend because I type "./install" and within about an hour I
> have the template for fully featured e-commerce website running and ready
> to customize. And, I can then use either Mike's rascally Minivend tags or
> Perl, depending on the complexity of the task.
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-minivend-users@minivend.com
> > [mailto:owner-minivend-users@minivend.com]On Behalf Of Craig Oettle
> > Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2000 7:27 AM
> > To: minivend-users@minivend.com
> > Subject: Re: [mv] RE: your email
> >
> >
> > ******    message to minivend-users from Craig Oettle
> > <craig_oettle@ecsinconline.com>     ******
> >
> > Birgitt Funk wrote:
> > >
> > > ******    message to minivend-users from "Birgitt Funk"
> > <birgitt@my-deja.com>     ******
> > >
> > > I am having a terrible connection. This is in
> > > response to Lin's and Ryan's and other's posts.
> > >
> > > MH had provided us space with the option to work on a
> > documentation. The people who wanted to participate realized
> > probably very quickly how tough that kind of work is. You might
> > agree with me that quite obviously we didn't do the job.
> > >
> > > If you want to complain about the documentation of not being
> > perfect and if you belong to either of the three groups,
> > >
> > > Group 1: You simply can't document MiniVend,  even if you
> > wanted to, because you don't have enough knowledge and stamina.
> > >
> > > Group 2: You can document MiniVend, but you know
> > > how much it takes to do it and it is just too much to do for
> > free and at the side.
> > >
> > > Group 3: You can document MiniVend, but you make
> > > a living being a MV or e-commerce consultant and don't want
> > your hard earned expertise give away for free. You actually
> > don't want more freely   available documentation.
> > >
> > > again, if you belong to one of those groups, then I think one
> > should not complain at all.
> > >
> > > If point 2 and 3 applies to yourself, so would it apply to MH
> > himself, so why expect something from him you yourself wouldn't
> > want to give or can not give.
> > >
> > > If point 1 applies to you, then you need to stop complaining,
> > because you haven't realized how much it takes to be someone in
> > group 2 or 3.
> > >
> > > MV seems to remain a one-man development for most part, I
> > assume. To me it was quite amazing that MH actually made the
> > tough decision to risk  money and invest in a professionally
> > made documentation, as he has announced on the list.
> > >
> > > I think we have nothing to complain about at all but be
> > grateful that MH has apparently the thick skin and stamina to
> > stay through all of it.
> > >
> > > We need just give something back if we can. It may be tough
> > to give something back for the ones who have no money and no
> > knowledge to handle MV on their own for their projects.
> > Nevertheless one can give back.
> > >
> > > May be you can buy the documentation when it is out, may you
> > we can support in opening an account on minivend.com. May be
> > you can donate examples, may be you can donate code, may be you
> > can donate time to the list as so many of you do so generously.
> > Do something. Anything
> > > which somehow supports the project.
> > >
> > > Birgitt Funk
> > >
> >
> >
> > I belong to group one and couldn't agree more.  I've had an interesting
> > time just setting up a site based on the simple demo but have a learned
> > a great deal.  Much of what I've learned has nothing to do specifically
> > with Minivend.  I look forward to the day when I may belong to group
> > two.  Thanks Mike for a great program and learning experience.
> >
> > --
> > Craig Oettle
> >
> http://www.ecsinconline.com
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