On 8/24/2010 7:02 AM, Clayton wrote:
On 08/23/10 17:20, Jean Lockwood wrote:
Clayton,
i signed up a couple of weeks ago to become part of the documentation
effort for OOo. I said at the time that I wouldn't be able to begin
being /productive/ until sometime next month, but I have been reading
all of the email that has been sent to me.
*And* one thing seems to stick out. There is no one entity
responsible for welcoming new volunteers and helping them become
familiar with the way the group works. Everyone (including me) is
asking just how to get started.
That entity is usually Jean Weber, or myself. We share the project
lead responsibilities
/*SO*/, perhaps my best contribution to the effort right now would be
to compile a 'New Writer's" guide that would explain exactly how the
project is organized, who's 'in charge' of each element, and provide
examples of just how to become a part of the project.
I shall continue to check out all of the links in the email I've
received, but for me, it would have been a big help to have had an
idea of exactly how the project is structured.
I'd appreciate your feedback, as well as the reactions of others in
this group.
Setting up mentoring for the new project members is something high on
my list of things - it's getting a section at the conference
presentation next week... so I hope that means it'll be a primary goal
in the coming months.
For various reasons, the doc project has had very few new members
until recently (the last 6 to 8 months).... for example a change (or
two) in project leads meant that the Moderation queue on the mailing
list was unintentionally ignored for far too long. The Moderation
queue is often the first point of contact for people interested in
volunteering to help out. Now, Jean and I are monitoring that list,
and we've had a nice influx of new members... but, as Jean pointed
out, due to the restructuring that we've been trying to do, the
mentoring aspect (including info on what new members can do to come up
to speed) has fallen to the side.
Jeanlock... there's a lot we all (as a group) can do to help set up
info for new users. We can have a Wiki page, an ODT doc, people can
be volunteer mentors... and whatever else we can think of. The
What is a Wiki page? an ODT doc? Perhaps a glossary of terms. Altho I've
been on the 'web' since it was ARPA Net, some of the newer usage is not
clear to me.
goal should be a clear set of steps for a new memeber... for example
I totally agree.
- subscribe to authors and dev mailing lists
- set up a wiki id
*How do we do this*
- set up an oooauthors id
What is it, and how do I do it?
- review a style guide and Wiki editing guide
Where are they?
- sign up for Wiki mentoring if they aren't familiar with Wiki editing
How?
It would be nice if we could provide a clear list of what's available
to be worked on... we have some of this now in the Wiki, but it's
difficult to find, and difficult to understand.
I trust someone can give me the magic key to finding the Wiki. As for
'difficult to understand', that's exactly what I hope to help with.
Project assignments - projects that are available that can be assigned
to new members along with one of us long time members who can help and
mentor as the new member comes up to speed...
That would be great!!!
There's more circling around in my mind... :-) but it would be good to
see us build some of the foundation for this first.... with input from
whoever wants to help out with getting this established.
Is there an organization chart, showing how things are connected?
You know, the hip bone is connected to the thigh bone, etc. That
would be a great help.
I suspect that my primary area of interest is in the word
processing area. And, while I think of it: In Word Perfect,
in the 'page' menu, there is an option to center the text vertically on
the page, as well as horizontally. Jeanlock
C.
