Re: [Numpy-discussion] NumPy documentation

[Francesc A. <fa...@ca...>]

Travis,

First of all, I think that you should be happy that you received *only*
a mail of this class in the year and some months that you are at the
NumPy project. As somebody already noted: "take a large enough
community, and you will always find a person (or several) that thinks
that the wiser developer and the best professional is evil". We can
disscuss largely why this should happen, but the answer is easy: it's
human nature.

Let me also THANK YOU not only for your impressive dedication to the
NumPy project but also for your openess to other ideas and to be the
best advocate of the "I prefer to code, rather than talk" mantra. Lets
do more of this and let others talk. I'm positive that 99% of the
community is with you, and that's the only consideration that is worth.

Best,

Francesc


El dt 04 de 04 del 2006 a les 15:17 -0600, en/na Travis Oliphant va
escriure:
> I received a rather hurtful email today that was very discouraging to me=20
> personally.  Basically, I was called "lame" and a "wolf" in sheep's=20
> clothing because I'm charging for documentation.    Fortunately it's the=20
> first email of that nature I've received.  Others have disagreed with my=20
> choice to charge for the documentation but at least they've not resorted=20
> to personal attacks on me and my motivations.   Please know that such=20
> emails do have an impact.  While I try to build a tough skin, such=20
> unappreciative statements reduce my enthusiasm for working on NumPy=20
> significantly.
>=20
> My purpose, however, is not to rant about the misguided words of one=20
> person.  He brought up a point that I want to clarify.  He asked if I=20
> "would sue" if somebody else wrote documentation for NumPy.   I want to=20
> be perfectly clear that this is a ridiculous statement that barely=20
> deserves a response.  Of course I wouldn't.   First of all, it would be=20
> extreme circumstances indeed for me to resort to that course of action=20
> (basically a company would have to copy my book and start distributing=20
> it on a large scale, belligerently).  Second of all, I would love to see=20
> *more* documentation for NumPy.
>=20
> If there are other (less vocal) people out there who are not using NumPy=20
> because of my book, then I certainly feel sorry about that.  Please dig=20
> in and create the documentation you so urgently want to be free.   I=20
> will not stand in your way, but may even help.
>=20
> But please consider that time is money.  Most people are better off=20
> spending their time on something else and just cooperating with others=20
> by paying for the book.  But, I'm not going to dislike or have any kind=20
> of ill feelings with anyone who decides to spend their time on=20
> "documentation."  In fact, I'll appreciate it just like everyone else. =20
> I love the growth of the SciPy Wiki.  There are some great recipes and=20
> examples there.  This is fantastic.  I'm 100% behind this kind of work. =20
> Rather than write some kind of "replacement" documentation, contribute=20
> docstrings to the code and recipes to the Wiki.   Then, those that can't=20
> or won't buy the book will still have plenty of resources to use to=20
> learn NumPy.
>=20
> I'm completely behind all forms of "free" information on NumPy / SciPy=20
> and related tools.  The only reason I have to charge for the=20
> documentation is that I just don't have the resources to simply donate=20
> *all* of my time.   I want to thank all of you who have already=20
> purchased the documentation.   It has been extremely helpful to me=20
> personally and professionally.   Without you, my time to spend on NumPy=20
> would have been significantly reduced.   Thank you very much.
>=20
> Best wishes,
>=20
> -Travis
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
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--=20
>0,0<   Francesc Altet     http://www.carabos.com/
V   V   C=E1rabos Coop. V.   Enjoy Data
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