Peter Kupfer wrote: > Maybe I missed the discussion, but why have we stopped using .stw's? Not > trying to argue, just wondering about the rationale.
The discussion was off-list between our editors :-) I happened to listen in, and I think Linda did too. * Learning how to use .stw files increases the entry barrier for OOoAuthors. * Because none of use really uses them correctly anyways, we're not gaining what professional writers are supposed to gain from templates. * And in fact, we are losing things compared to regular files: - When you save a template, all the fields go blank. This causes people to not realize what they are, and delete them. So we have to keep putting the fields back in by hand later. - Having the fields stay, helps us make the instructions clearer. See the title page of the new template as an example. - In addition, using a regular file allows us to rename the fields. So instead of "Info 1", "Info 2", "Info 3", we can call thelm "Chapter subtitle", "Chapter number" and "Name of guide" respectively. There were other reasons, but I forget what they were. Other things that happen right in regular files, but break when you use templates. In any event, this change also means that the template how-to can be made simpler as well. Further lowering the barrier of entry for OOoAuthors. For example, the old how-to had a section showing you how to work around an OOo bug in the table of contents. The new template circunvents this bug. All in all, Jean and Janet have done a spectacular job. All these files (style guide, writing OOo guides, template, and template how-to) were written with a lot of care, and reviewed several times over the last few weeks. They've really put a lot of work into them. And a lot of it is in details that you may not notice because they saved you from a problem that now you will never have. Cheers, -- Daniel Carrera | I don't want it perfect, Join OOoAuthors today! | I want it Tuesday. http://oooauthors.org |
