Re: [generguide-devel] Re: Stable requirements

[Cameron S. <ca...@sh...>]

On Saturday 13 Sep 2003 9:54 pm, Sean Wheller wrote:

> The problem is change. We humans do not like it, but
> we must if we are to
> evolve. I think that for the good of development, that
> I should review the
> requirements and do more research about generguide.
> That way you can get on
> with coding and our paths will meet down the track.
> All I need to know is
> that dev is not going to hate me or reject all the
> recomendations when I am
> finished.

Sounds good to me, and I will welcome your feedback.
We are reaching the standard question in all projects:
"Do we release early, even though our implementation is flawed, or do we start 
again, this time doing a better job?"
The answer changes each time you ask the question.

I'd like to release soon, even though the product has it's flaws.  However we 
should only call it a "prototype" or "technology demonstrator" or something.
The aim of the release is to attract developers who might be tempted to start 
their own project in competition with ours.

>
> Ditto. I think I will start at this point. I will
> output a SRS for us to
> colaborate on.

For the record, SRS = Software Requirements Specification.
Great.
I'd be interested to know whether you would like to use my Requirements as a 
starting point, or whether you want to start again from scratch.  I'd prefer 
it if you extended existing requirements, but am happy if you start again if 
you think it will be easier.
I'd like to know whether you consider the format of the current requirements 
could be improved.  If you want to start using a new format, could you please 
ensure that all "shalls" have a unique id so that we can cross reference it 
with the design.
Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a good open source requirements 
editor.  You can see further thoughts on it at: 
http://cameron.shorter.net/goals.html#requirementstracing

> Yep. At present it is hard to know how to use
> generguide.

I guess the Users' Guide must have been written by a programmer instead of a 
tech writer.  :)
Have you executed the generpublish.sh script yet?
Using generguide involves running generpublish.sh from a unix command line 
(cygwin on windows).  This is beyond the expertise we should expect from a 
tech writer.
Hence, I think I should focus on writing a CGI wrapper on top of 
generpublish.sh so that it can be driver from a web page.  I don't think it 
will be too difficult to write and will be a great technology demonstrator.

> Do you know about
> e-novative DocBook Environment (eDE)?
No.

> http://www.e-novative.de
>
> Take a look an tell me what you think.

The english version of the site is down, but I was able to find the following 
review:

 The e-novative DocBook Environment (eDE) is a free, ready-to-go integrated 
environment for Windows enabling you to various output formats from DocBook 
XML sources. Currently a single HTML page, multiple HTML pages and PDF output 
are supported. eDE installs in a snap and lets you create output files with 
one command line command. Supports articles and books, includes 
well-documented customization.

--
Sounds like eDE provides similar functionality to xsltproc?
Maybe it is easier to install?

-- 
Cameron Shorter              http://cameron.shorter.net
Open Source Developer        http://generguide.sourceforge.net
                             http://mapbuilder.sourceforge.net
                             http://geotools.org
Senior Software Engineer     http://www.adi-limited.com