Re: BookManager format softcopy
On Friday, 09/17/2010 at 11:09 EDT, Rick Barlow rrhbar...@gmail.com wrote: Does this mean that IBM will finally create PDFs for all of the old products that only have BOO files? No. The discussion was specifically about just the z/VM product publications. Alan Altmark z/VM and Linux on System z Consultant IBM System Lab Services and Training ibm.com/systems/services/labservices office: 607.429.3323 alan_altm...@us.ibm.com IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Learning curve is nil. Alan Altmark z/VM Development IBM Endicott = == == Then I must be stupid. I have tried to use Information Center from time t o time and find it very frustrating. I don't know how to find things, and when I do find somethin g, but it is the wrong one, I seem to have to start my search all over again. Where is the BACK butto n so I can go to the next found item? I guess I need a course in Information Center. I still use BookManager because the search across a while bookshelf works really well. I still haven't had such luck with searching PDFs. Maybe I am just missing someth ing, or maybe it's just something my employer does to our PC setup? Is there a tool to convert from BookManger to PDF? We still have some hom e-grown manuals around that I have been asked to retain access to. There are some manuals that are available only in BookManager. Would you please consider bringing them forward as PDFs? EXEC2 comes to mind, but I think there are others you have abandoned, but not deleted the function from z/VM. Alan Ackerman
Re: BookManager format softcopy
I doubt it. To labor intensive. Maybe if they get an intern(s) from some college, they might do it. From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of Rick Barlow Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 11:07 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: BookManager format softcopy Does this mean that IBM will finally create PDFs for all of the old products that only have BOO files? Rick Barlow On Fri, Sep 3, 2010 at 12:01 PM, Alan Altmark alan_altm...@us.ibm.com wrote: In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. If yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free. Regards, Alan z/VM Development (T - 13 days) IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Does this mean that IBM will finally create PDFs for all of the old products that only have BOO files? Rick Barlow On Fri, Sep 3, 2010 at 12:01 PM, Alan Altmark alan_altm...@us.ibm.comwrote: In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. If yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free. Regards, Alan z/VM Development (T - 13 days) IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
I really like the ability to search every book on the bookshelf for the occurrence of what I'm looking up. I've been known to search the older versions first if the latest versions are only available in PDF (DB2 for z/VM books in particular). Once I narrow down the search, then I'll go to the latest version of the book to find the current information. IMO, that's one of the things that has made the IBM documentation so much more user-friendly than what is supplied by other vendors. Nora Graves nora.e.gra...@irs.gov Main IRS, Room 6531 (202) 622-6735 Fax (202) 622-3123 SE:W:CAR:MP:D:KS:BRSI -Original Message- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of Alan Altmark Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 12:01 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: BookManager format softcopy In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. If yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free. Regards, Alan z/VM Development (T - 13 days) IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
I agree. The bookshelf search is something that I use all the time as well. I can't seem to get similar search results using the other documentation media. Jon Nolting - System z IT Architect (zITA) zChampion IBM US West IMT based near Seattle (206) 587-2244 (Work) - T/L 277-244 (425) 281-5750 (Cell) (206) 587-2244 (Fax) (425) 222-7969 (Home) From: Graves Nora E nora.e.gra...@irs.gov To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: 09/07/2010 08:20 AM Subject:Re: BookManager format softcopy Sent by:The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU I really like the ability to search every book on the bookshelf for the occurrence of what I'm looking up. I've been known to search the older versions first if the latest versions are only available in PDF (DB2 for z/VM books in particular). Once I narrow down the search, then I'll go to the latest version of the book to find the current information. IMO, that's one of the things that has made the IBM documentation so much more user-friendly than what is supplied by other vendors. Nora Graves nora.e.gra...@irs.gov Main IRS, Room 6531 (202) 622-6735 Fax (202) 622-3123 SE:W:CAR:MP:D:KS:BRSI -Original Message- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of Alan Altmark Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 12:01 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: BookManager format softcopy In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. If yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free. Regards, Alan z/VM Development (T - 13 days) IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
The key trick to getting around this with PDFs is to have access to a full copy of Acrobat and regularly run 'pdfindex' to generate an index file for all your PDF documents. You can give that index file to the PDF reader, and your searches will work more like the Bookie ones (cross-book and intra-book). I'd distribute my index file, but pdfindex generates a file with absolute paths in it, so you'd have to organize your books the same way I do for it to be useful. -- db From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of Jonathan R Nolting Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 1:44 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: BookManager format softcopy I agree. The bookshelf search is something that I use all the time as well. I can't seem to get similar search results using the other documentation media.
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Google Desktop seems to work fine for me at searching PDF's and other documents.. and searches my google mail where I archive all these mailing lists... Scott Rohling p.s. And there's a Linux version for people like me :-) On Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 11:58 AM, David Boyes dbo...@sinenomine.net wrote: The key trick to getting around this with PDFs is to have access to a full copy of Acrobat and regularly run ‘pdfindex’ to generate an index file for all your PDF documents. You can give that index file to the PDF reader, and your searches will work more like the Bookie ones (cross-book and intra-book). I’d distribute my index file, but pdfindex generates a file with absolute paths in it, so you’d have to organize your books the same way I do for it to be useful. -- db *From:* The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] *On Behalf Of *Jonathan R Nolting *Sent:* Tuesday, September 07, 2010 1:44 PM *To:* IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU *Subject:* Re: BookManager format softcopy I agree. The bookshelf search is something that I use all the time as well. I can't seem to get similar search results using the other documentation media.
Re: BookManager format softcopy
On Tuesday, 09/07/2010 at 11:25 EDT, Graves Nora E nora.e.gra...@irs.gov wrote: I really like the ability to search every book on the bookshelf for the occurrence of what I'm looking up. I've been known to search the older versions first if the latest versions are only available in PDF (DB2 for z/VM books in particular). Once I narrow down the search, then I'll go to the latest version of the book to find the current information. IMO, that's one of the things that has made the IBM documentation so much more user-friendly than what is supplied by other vendors. That is what I do with the Information Center at http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/zvm/v6r1/index.jsp. It searches all the books. I agree that it isn't perfect by any means and, yes, as others have said, some of the VM books have antiquated TOCs that don't do well in an e-environment, but they suffer in Bookmanager, too. I don't like going to a section 1.1 only to find that it is a single sentence or tiny paragraph with links to 1.1.1, 1.1.2, and 1.1.3. And then some books have the same section titles, which can be confusing. E.g. the TCP/IP User's Guide and the LDAP Admin book both have a section titled SSL Certificate/Key Management and SSL Tracing Information. But, again, that's nothing specific to Information Center. I'm also not a fan of books with Part 1, 2, 3, etc, unlessf you've got a 2000-page book split into multiple PDFs as the IEEE does for large standards. I am going to be honest and say that, so far, I haven't seen a compelling reason that IBM should continue to invest in generating BOOK files. What you *have* convinced me of is that a portion of any contemplated savings should be redirected to improvements in: - TOC simplification and consistency (avoid useless divisions of information) - PDF bookshelf and search enhancements - Better education within the context of the Library on how to effectively access it with available tools. I mean, I had just learned about the Advanced Linguistic Plug-in a few days before Michael Forte and others posted on the subject.. Who knew? - A Linux version of the Information Center - Better bulk packaging of the Library so that it is easily moved around. - New formats for mobile and e-book devices. There oughtta be an app for that, eh? - Tools to transform BOOK files into reasonable PDFs, even if only a meager EXPORT function in BookManager READ. and that it might be good to have some of these addressed before BOOKs are removed. In the interests of full disclosure, I too use BOOK files and shelves for some of the same reasons as many of you do and am not looking forward to learning new tricks. (woof!!) Alan Altmark z/VM Development IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
More feedback (1 = gotta have it now, 4 = when you have a lot of free time) - TOC simplification and consistency (avoid useless divisions of information) 3. We're used to it by now, and the PDF manuals don't really exhibit this problem too badly. - PDF bookshelf and search enhancements 2. - Better education within the context of the Library on how to effectively access it with available tools. I mean, I had just learned about the Advanced Linguistic Plug-in a few days before Michael Forte and others posted on the subject.. Who knew? 4. Stop inventing custom tools for this. Stick to common stuff like PDF and ePub. Everyone else has. - A Linux version of the Information Center 4. If you must. BTW, there is a open-source Linux version of pdfindex. - Better bulk packaging of the Library so that it is easily moved around. 2. A write-locked USB drive or SD card format would be handy. A 32G SD card will hold the entire z/OS and z/VM (and most of the z/VSE) libraries (recommended accessory before you go out in the field, Alan...). - New formats for mobile and e-book devices. There oughtta be an app for that, eh? 1. There are very good PDF and ePub readers already out there. - Tools to transform BOOK files into reasonable PDFs, even if only a meager EXPORT function in BookManager READ. Can I wish for a LIST3820 to PDF converter too? Even if it produces crappy rasterized 200 dpi page images in the PDF, there is a need. and that it might be good to have some of these addressed before BOOKs are removed. +1.
Re: BookManager format softcopy
On Fri, Sep 3, 2010 at 8:11 PM, Alan Altmark alan_altm...@us.ibm.com wrote: The Information Center is very nice in that regard. You can download and run it on your workstation if you like, or you can use the Internet version. Learning curve is nil. Don't make me laugh. I thought you had 2 more weeks before your new job... Yeah, I frequently have cases like I really need to find what the default msglimit is for the IUCV statement in the directory, but the learning curve for using my PDF Reader is so steep... I have a copy of most z/VM PDFs on my laptop and hacked a copy of the HTML index from the VM web site to navigate that. Way cool. Google Desktop Search even searches them when I need. I rarely agree with David, but with respect to the Information Center it's hard to avoid. You may throw that stuff as far as you can (though not in this direction please) Only use it for the VM books by accident when Google leads me there, but I've used it more often for IBM middleware (online, so the latency may be part of my user experience). What I really hate is getting returned a list of a few hits with no indication that it's still searching and will add more later. Similar things happen with text where you see a paragraph and conclude required detail is not there, and then more lines are still added. A lot of the books suffer from too deep nesting of sections. That makes for an attractive layout in print and PDF, but is tedious with expand/hide process of Info Centers. When I click in the ToC under IUCV Statement a section called Operands then I expect to see the operands like in the book itself, not an empty paragraph and again new level of headings. Go ahead, try search the WAS InfoCenter on memory tuning - this gives you lots of references that all look the same because the InfoCenter has the books for WAS on 7 different platforms all merged together. So you get all the duplicated sections as well. Try finding how to restrict the search to the pieces that are relevant for you. Sure, it can be done by constructing your own virtual slice of a book in InfoCenter... But only if you're more patient and desperate than me. I downloaded the relevant PDF and read applicable sections as if it were a book (not much of a learning curve there) | Rob
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Just a comment on the size difference between PDF and BOO formats. I have looked at the internal structures and there is one *huge* program at the end of each PDF file called hclxDII. Maybe IBM should look at what this is used for and try to replace it with a built-in function. Also, the compression method (where it's even used) is not the best. Tony Thigpen Developer of VSE2DPF -Original Message - From: Alan Altmark Sent: 09/03/2010 12:01 PM In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. If yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free. Regards, Alan z/VM Development (T - 13 days) IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Hi Tony, I am sure the program at the end called hclxDII is for the IBM Advanced Linguistic Search Plug-in - as mentioned by Michael Fortes message. Alexander Riedel -Original Message- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of Tony Thigpen Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2010 2:20 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: BookManager format softcopy Just a comment on the size difference between PDF and BOO formats. I have looked at the internal structures and there is one *huge* program at the end of each PDF file called hclxDII. Maybe IBM should look at what this is used for and try to replace it with a built-in function. Also, the compression method (where it's even used) is not the best. Tony Thigpen Developer of VSE2DPF -Original Message - From: Alan Altmark Sent: 09/03/2010 12:01 PM In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. If yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free. Regards, Alan z/VM Development (T - 13 days) IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Michael said that the Advanced Linguistic Search Plug-in had to be downloaded, so I doubt it is for that. No matter what it is, IBM needs to reevaluate why it's required since it is HUGE. We are talking about almost 1 Meg. I just looked at it again and I think it is part of the BookManager Index function. Tony Thigpen -Original Message - From: Riedel, Alexander Sent: 09/05/2010 11:56 AM Hi Tony, I am sure the program at the end called hclxDII is for the IBM Advanced Linguistic Search Plug-in - as mentioned by Michael Fortes message. Alexander Riedel -Original Message- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of Tony Thigpen Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2010 2:20 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: BookManager format softcopy Just a comment on the size difference between PDF and BOO formats. I have looked at the internal structures and there is one *huge* program at the end of each PDF file called hclxDII. Maybe IBM should look at what this is used for and try to replace it with a built-in function. Also, the compression method (where it's even used) is not the best. Tony Thigpen Developer of VSE2DPF -Original Message - From: Alan Altmark Sent: 09/03/2010 12:01 PM In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. If yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free. Regards, Alan z/VM Development (T - 13 days) IBM Endicott
BookManager format softcopy
In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. If yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free. Regards, Alan z/VM Development (T - 13 days) IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
As long as the replacement allows searches similar to Bookie, the only discomfort for me would be learning curve and comfort level. Regards, Richard Schuh -Original Message- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of Alan Altmark Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 9:01 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: BookManager format softcopy In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. If yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free. Regards, Alan z/VM Development (T - 13 days) IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
If you must I guess the writing was on the wall for some time. I'll just have to get used to Info Center. I've always found the web based book manager very fast, and sufficient for my requirements, although it took some imagination to read... in a pinch I would download the PDF to 'see' how the book really looks. On 09/03/2010 11:01 AM, Alan Altmark wrote: In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. If yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free. Regards, Alan z/VM Development (T - 13 days) IBM Endicott -- Rich Smrcina Velocity Software, Inc. Mobile: 414-491-6001 Office: 262-392-3717 http://www.velocitysoftware.com Catch the WAVV! http://www.wavv.org WAVV 2011 - April 15-19, 2011 Colorado Springs, CO
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Sounds like a plan. I'd actually omit the Information Center docs too -- they're almost impossible to use, really. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced.
Re: BookManager format softcopy
-Original Message- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of David Boyes Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 12:10 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: BookManager format softcopy Sounds like a plan. I'd actually omit the Information Center docs too -- they're almost impossible to use, really. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. I'm curious. I have a KindleDX expressly so that I can easily read PDF books which are US Letter or A4 sized. Given the upswing in other, smaller, ebook readers (and things like iPod touch and smartphones), would a mobi format be useful? Or perhaps even a PDF book which is formatted to A5 size instead of A4? Or, heavens!, even publish the documents in Linux docbook format and let us create the book in whatever format we like using docbook tools. OK, this last is likely going too far as IBM starts to lose some of its control over content. -- John McKown Systems Engineer IV IT Administrative Services Group HealthMarkets(r) 9151 Boulevard 26 * N. Richland Hills * TX 76010 (817) 255-3225 phone * (817)-691-6183 cell john.mck...@healthmarkets.com * www.HealthMarkets.com Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message may contain confidential or proprietary information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. HealthMarkets(r) is the brand name for products underwritten and issued by the insurance subsidiaries of HealthMarkets, Inc. -The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company(r), Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of TennesseeSM and The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company.SM
Re: BookManager format softcopy
I'm curious. I have a KindleDX expressly so that I can easily read PDF books which are US Letter or A4 sized. Given the upswing in other, smaller, ebook readers (and things like iPod touch and smartphones), would a mobi format be useful? ePub format would be generally about as helpful as PDF, and it's better behaved on the smaller devices (eg, iPhone/Android, etc). The mobi format would probably screw up the railroad-track diagrams something awful. If you can create PDF, creating ePub from PDF is pretty simple. Or perhaps even a PDF book which is formatted to A5 size instead of A4? Or, heavens!, even publish the documents in Linux docbook format and let us create the book in whatever format we like using docbook tools. OK, this last is likely going too far as IBM starts to lose some of its control over content. Bookie source used to be available for some manuals. Or if you have the .BOO and Bookmaster/READ, you can produce the source with a few contortions. That's how I converted the VM/XA docs to PDF. Rather than Docbook specifically, how about SGML? That would still allow formatting with SCRIPT if necessary (DCF can handle SGML docs) and also allow processing with Docbook if IBM made the DTD available... -- db
Re: BookManager format softcopy
The PDF's are all I ever use. Brian Nielsen On Fri, 3 Sep 2010 12:01:08 -0400, Alan Altmark alan_altm...@us.ibm.com wrote: In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produ ce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager RE AD software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. I f yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free.
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Same here; I've been using the PDF files for quite some time now. -- Robert P. Nix Mayo Foundation.~. RO-OC-1-18 200 First Street SW/V\ 507-284-0844 Rochester, MN 55905 /( )\ -^^-^^ In theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice, theory and practice are different. On 9/3/10 12:38 PM, Brian Nielsen bniel...@sco.idaho.gov wrote: The PDF's are all I ever use. Brian Nielsen On Fri, 3 Sep 2010 12:01:08 -0400, Alan Altmark alan_altm...@us.ibm.com wrote: In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produ ce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on
Re: BookManager format softcopy
On Friday, 09/03/2010 at 12:17 EDT, Schuh, Richard rsc...@visa.com wrote: As long as the replacement allows searches similar to Bookie, the only discomfort for me would be learning curve and comfort level. The Information Center is very nice in that regard. You can download and run it on your workstation if you like, or you can use the Internet version. Learning curve is nil. Alan Altmark z/VM Development IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Folks, I am simply trying to gather data on customers who would be adversely affected by the elimination of BOOK files. If you have no dependency on BOOK files, please don't post a reply; I have your vote already. :-) I don't want to clutter the list with data I can't use. Thanks for your understanding. If you would like to have books delivered in some other format, we're certainly interested in that as well, though I suspect that will be driven primarily by Corporate Directives for mobile accessibility, possibly related to our Smarter Planet initiatives. Alan Altmark z/VM Development IBM Endicott
Re: BookManager format softcopy
The Information Center is very nice in that regard. You can download and run it on your workstation if you like, or you can use the Internet version. Learning curve is nil. Are there any docs on how to use it better? I find it really confusing and hard to work with. -- db
Re: BookManager format softcopy
sigh.I guess this was inevitable... I'm a big fan of the .boo format and the z/VM bookshelves because: 1) they are easy to read on a typical laptop computer screen. 2) books load very fast across the Net and display quickly, mainly due, I suspect to their significantly smaller size (e.g., one IBM publication is 1.0 MB in size for the .boo file and 2.18 MB in size for the PDF). 3) the book and shelf search functions are fast and easy to use. My second choice is PDF because they are closest in appearance to a printed document and graphic art, like the railroad track diagrams are reproduced better. However, they are 1.5x to 2.5x larger than equivalent .boo files which means they take longer to download and longer for Adobe Reader to start up and display them. While you can do text searchs both inside PDF documents and across directories of them, the searches are slow and awkward to set up. Of course, they are just the thing if you want to create your own hardcopy document. My least favorite form of on line documentation is the new Information Center format: 1) it seems geared to producing documentation in little screen sized chunks, which makes trying to gather sufficient information on how to do complex tasks (e.g., configuring DIRMAINT) tedious at best and downright maddening at worst. I suppose Information Center is aimed for the younger generation, which seems to have the attention span of a gnat 2) It's slow to load and display information, perhaps because it relies so much on javascript, and the search function is awkward. It presents the results of a search in the left hand column, for example, but it doesn't show you what manual the found text comes from. 3) And what's with the left hand column being refreshed all the time.not only is that very annoying, it contributes to the overall slowness of the application. So, yes, I think this creates a hardship for me..and now y'all will have to excuse me because I need to go yell at the neighborhood kids to get off my lawnand why aren't the little buggers in school today anyway...? Happy Labor Day, too. DJ On 09/03/2010 11:01 AM, Alan Altmark wrote: In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. The z/VM Information Center and PDF files would still be produced. Does this create a hardship for anyone? If not, no need to speak up. If yes, details please. If you prefer to respond offline, feel free. Regards, Alan z/VM Development (T - 13 days) IBM Endicott -- Dave Jones V/Soft Software www.vsoft-software.com Houston, TX 281.578.7544
Re: BookManager format softcopy
I have to agree here with DB...I also find it difficult to useand how does one go about downloading it to be run on a laptop (and is Linux a supported laptop environment)? On 09/03/2010 01:31 PM, David Boyes wrote: The Information Center is very nice in that regard. You can download and run it on your workstation if you like, or you can use the Internet version. Learning curve is nil. Are there any docs on how to use it better? I find it really confusing and hard to work with. -- db -- Dave Jones V/Soft Software www.vsoft-software.com Houston, TX 281.578.7544
Re: BookManager format softcopy
You can see the books by mousing over the item. It seems as though the items are organized randomly, though. They are not in book by table of contents order, which is often helpful. I prefer the book by table of contents order. The current search does not work for me. Mousing over each or clicking on entry is clunky and slow. It makes it more difficult to skip over the rest of the book if you decide that it does not answer your question. Regards, Richard Schuh The following excerpted from a post by Dave Jones. -Original Message- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of Dave Jones Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 12:13 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: BookManager format softcopy sigh.I guess this was inevitable... My least favorite form of on line documentation is the new Information Center format: 2) It's slow to load and display information, perhaps because it relies so much on javascript, and the search function is awkward. It presents the results of a search in the left hand column, for example, but it doesn't show you what manual the found text comes from. Happy Labor Day, too. DJ
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Hi Dave, With regard to your mention of PDF search capability, have you downloaded and tried the IBM Advanced Linguistic Search Plug-in for searching enabled PDFs and across PDF extended shelves with the same (or nearly same) search quality as BookManager? IBM ALSP is free and can be found at the URL: http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg24024554myns=swgothermynp=OCSSHJ3Rmync=R All (or most) z/VM publication PDF files as of z/VM 5.3 (I think) are indexed and can be search individually or within the corresponding extended shelf. Use Softcopy Reader to search the extended shelf (quick search). With regard to the information center, the biggest contributing factor to the organization of the content is that the z/VM library is organized using a book methodology and not broken down in such a manner that lends well to article based documentation (the information center is article based). I know those who work on the z/VM documentation are continuously improving the organization of the documentation and have the desire to improve the user experience. Just takes time with so few hands. Aside from that, there are newer versions of the Eclipse subsystem -- that drives the heart of the information -- that we continuously evaluate and migrated to. These newer versions improve the functionality and speed. This biggest benefit to producing information centers is that the content can be updated much quicker and more easily. If we can round the infrastructure bend then enables that, we might see the end of the days where to use version X release Y of a product one needs to read the release specific documentation, APAR documentation, and possibly a subsequent release documentation (all because updates are not easily made between releases or as service is release to the service stream). (PERSONAL OPINION) Some exciting functionality I'd like to see in the future involves commenting and user contributed documentation. After all, the users really know the product and what others would look for the most. If you'd like to see a newer implementation of an information center, navigate to the IBM Ration Team Concert information center ( http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/rtc/v2r0m0/index.jsp). You'll notice the organization is much different and the load time is less. Good luck with those pesky kids and have a great weekend! Michael J. Forte z/OS Storage, z/OS Language Environment, and z/OS UNIX System Services ID Software Engineer, System z Information Solutions 58HA IBM Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 2004 Raj Drive, Durham, NC 27703 E-mail: mjfo...@us.ibm.com Home office: 919-381-4739 Mobile: 845-702-7962 Fax: NA There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-term risks and costs of comfortable inaction. - John F. Kennedy From: Dave Jones d...@vsoft-software.com To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: 09/03/2010 03:13 PM Subject:Re: BookManager format softcopy Sent by:The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU sigh.I guess this was inevitable... I'm a big fan of the .boo format and the z/VM bookshelves because: 1) they are easy to read on a typical laptop computer screen. 2) books load very fast across the Net and display quickly, mainly due, I suspect to their significantly smaller size (e.g., one IBM publication is 1.0 MB in size for the .boo file and 2.18 MB in size for the PDF). 3) the book and shelf search functions are fast and easy to use. My second choice is PDF because they are closest in appearance to a printed document and graphic art, like the railroad track diagrams are reproduced better. However, they are 1.5x to 2.5x larger than equivalent .boo files which means they take longer to download and longer for Adobe Reader to start up and display them. While you can do text searchs both inside PDF documents and across directories of them, the searches are slow and awkward to set up. Of course, they are just the thing if you want to create your own hardcopy document. My least favorite form of on line documentation is the new Information Center format: 1) it seems geared to producing documentation in little screen sized chunks, which makes trying to gather sufficient information on how to do complex tasks (e.g., configuring DIRMAINT) tedious at best and downright maddening at worst. I suppose Information Center is aimed for the younger generation, which seems to have the attention span of a gnat 2) It's slow to load and display information, perhaps because it relies so much on javascript, and the search function is awkward. It presents the results of a search in the left hand column, for example, but it doesn't show you what manual the found text comes from. 3) And what's with the left hand column being refreshed all the time.not only is that very annoying, it contributes to the overall slowness of the application. So, yes, I think this creates a hardship
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Yup, the search capability of an information is not the best. However, another good thing about the information center is that is is searchable by Google (everyone's trusted and loved search engine...) Michael J. Forte z/OS Storage, z/OS Language Environment, and z/OS UNIX System Services ID Software Engineer, System z Information Solutions 58HA From: Schuh, Richard rsc...@visa.com To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: 09/03/2010 03:59 PM Subject:Re: BookManager format softcopy Sent by:The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU You can see the books by mousing over the item. It seems as though the items are organized randomly, though. They are not in book by table of contents order, which is often helpful. I prefer the book by table of contents order. The current search does not work for me. Mousing over each or clicking on entry is clunky and slow. It makes it more difficult to skip over the rest of the book if you decide that it does not answer your question. Regards, Richard Schuh The following excerpted from a post by Dave Jones. -Original Message- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of Dave Jones Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 12:13 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: BookManager format softcopy sigh.I guess this was inevitable... My least favorite form of on line documentation is the new Information Center format: 2) It's slow to load and display information, perhaps because it relies so much on javascript, and the search function is awkward. It presents the results of a search in the left hand column, for example, but it doesn't show you what manual the found text comes from. Happy Labor Day, too. DJ
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Good point, failed to mention, you can also find both programs on your CD or DVD softcopy collections. That might get around part of all of the restriction. Michael J. Forte z/OS Storage, z/OS Language Environment, and z/OS UNIX System Services ID Software Engineer, System z Information Solutions 58HA From: Schuh, Richard rsc...@visa.com To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: 09/03/2010 04:18 PM Subject:Re: BookManager format softcopy Sent by:The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU That will not fly for all. We have strict rules against downloading and installing anything executable on our laptops or desktops from anywhere other than our own servers. I suspect there are others in the same boat. Regards, Richard Schuh From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of Michael Forte Sent: Friday, September 03, 2010 1:07 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: BookManager format softcopy Hi Dave, With regard to your mention of PDF search capability, have you downloaded and tried the IBM Advanced Linguistic Search Plug-in for searching enabled PDFs and across PDF extended shelves with the same (or nearly same) search quality as BookManager?
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Hi Dave, A Windows installable (yeah, not Linux) copy can be ordered from the IBM Publications Center. Look for: z/VM V6R1 Information Center DVD, October 2009 (SK5T-7098-01) z/VM V5R4 Information Center DVD, September 2008 (SK5T-7098-00) But I am unaware of an easy way to get the whole shebang otherwise. I've forwarded your inquiry to a few colleagues of mine. Thanks, Michael J. Forte z/OS Storage, z/OS Language Environment, and z/OS UNIX System Services ID Software Engineer, System z Information Solutions 58HA From: Dave Jones d...@vsoft-software.com To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: 09/03/2010 03:50 PM Subject:Re: BookManager format softcopy Sent by:The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU I have to agree here with DB...I also find it difficult to useand how does one go about downloading it to be run on a laptop (and is Linux a supported laptop environment)? On 09/03/2010 01:31 PM, David Boyes wrote: The Information Center is very nice in that regard. You can download and run it on your workstation if you like, or you can use the Internet version. Learning curve is nil. Are there any docs on how to use it better? I find it really confusing and hard to work with. -- db -- Dave Jones V/Soft Software www.vsoft-software.com Houston, TX 281.578.7544
Re: BookManager format softcopy
With regard to your mention of PDF search capability, have you downloaded and tried the IBM Advanced Linguistic Search Plug-in for searching enabled PDFs and across PDF extended shelves with the same (or nearly same) search quality as BookManager? PDFs don't give me problems. It's the Info Center stuff that makes me want to chew nails. I have the full Acrobat package and I just index the PDF documents and I'm done. No muss, no fuss and it just works. Regardless of platform, connectivity or what release of Java I happen to have on the machine in question. Which none of the other formats can claim, BTW. With regard to the information center, the biggest contributing factor to the organization of the content is that the z/VM library is organized using a book methodology and not broken down in such a manner that lends well to article based documentation (the information center is article based). I know those who work on the z/VM documentation are continuously improving the organization of the documentation and have the desire to improve the user experience. Just takes time with so few hands. To be blunt: don't fix it. It ain't broke. Article based docs are inordinately hard to use unless you have the same mental map as the author. I have yet to find anyone else as demented as I, so that's pretty hard to do. Aside from that, there are newer versions of the Eclipse subsystem -- that drives the heart of the information -- that we continuously evaluate and migrated to. These newer versions improve the functionality and speed. None of that will fix a basic disconnect in how people use the docs. It's just lipstick on the pig. This biggest benefit to producing information centers is that the content can be updated much quicker and more easily. If we can round the infrastructure bend then enables that, we might see the end of the days where to use version X release Y of a product one needs to read the release specific documentation, APAR documentation, and possibly a subsequent release documentation (all because updates are not easily made between releases or as service is release to the service stream). Ugh. I WANT release-specific docs. You released it at a point in time, and the docs should apply ONLY to what you released. I don't want to figure out what you've added since you released something - we already have that problem on your other platforms, where the same problems noted above apply. (PERSONAL OPINION) Some exciting functionality I'd like to see in the future involves commenting and user contributed documentation. After all, the users really know the product and what others would look for the most. If you'd like to see a newer implementation of an information center, navigate to the IBM Ration Team Concert information center (http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/rtc/v2r0m0/index.jsp). You'll notice the organization is much different and the load time is less. The last thing I want is other people writing in my manual margins. It's hard enough figuring out what YOU meant, let alone random yutzes who we don't know at all and have no way to evaluate whether they know spit or not. User contributed docs are what Redbooks are for, where they get some sane editing and some fact checking done before you put your logo on them. -- db
Re: BookManager format softcopy
Alan Altmark wrote: In order to reduce expenses, reduce the amount of time it takes to produce softcopy documentation, and eliminate dependencies on soon-to-be-unsupported internal tools (nothing to do with BookManager READ software), we are thinking about eliminating BOOK (.boo) files from z/VM softcopy production. Personally, I much prefer searching and reading in BookManager format on green screen. It's just easier on the old eyeball. But, I knew ghost files would finally die one day. Leland
