Re: [generguide-devel] Re: Stable requirements

[Sean W. <se...@ya...>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cameron Shorter" <ca...@sh...>
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2003 11:52 PM
> 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.

A hard question. Release early is better but we will
have to set some
standards. You have already released one version. So
the barrier to entry
from others is limited to some extent. I think, as I
am new and I am the cat
amongst the pigeons, that you must go ahead with
plans. I will slot in.
Anyway, I need your input on the SRS and the more
people we have the better.

>
> >
> > 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
>

I would like to base myself on what ever information
you can provide. Is the
anything else in addition to the requirements on SF
and the golas on your
Web Site? Please do send them.
My structure for an SRS is derived from IEEE Guide to
Software
Requirements Specifications (Std 830-1993). It will be
a single Docbook XML
file to start with.
<!DOCTYPE book PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook XML
V4.2//EN"
      
"http://www.oasis-open.org/docbook/xml/4.2/docbookx.dtd">
I am using a CATALOG to map to my local copy of the
DTD. I don't know how
you guys work, but with CATALOG the document will
validate on any of our
systems.

> > 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.

Yes. At present I can only put time to GenerGuide at
weekends. This is from
home and at present I am on a Windows machine. I am
waiting for my other
computers to arrive from AU. I just spent seven months
down there on
contract to Medibank Private (Melbourne). My Linux box
is enroute. At the
office I have Linux and Windows, but little time to
play with Generguide.

I have looked at generguide and am busy putting the
pieces together. Using
Cygwin is a %$#@.

No Worries, I will get it sorted. Soon we will be
cooking with gas again.

>
> > 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?

It is easy to install, but it is only for Windows. I
just thought that some
ideas could be taken or learnt from them. In terms of
processing tools.

Sean Wheller


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