NeoMorph
September 3rd, 2007, 03:20 AM
Once again I have to repeat that the help files need more examples (I know, I know... It's just a huge bugbear of mine now I need all the help I can get) ... once you know how to do something you don't need the manual (which is one reason why programmers make the worst manual writers) but until you do know how to do it your current manuals help little I'm sorry to say.
Microsoft got around this by having two main manuals for VB6 for example. A manual for syntax which is what you have... and a programming manual which show you how to use the syntax in a real environment. Even those left a great big hole which was taken up by the "dummies" guides... I personally learned VB5 from a "Learn VB in 14 days" which was exactly what a good manual should include... walkthroughs of example after example. It was an excellent example of how programming manuals for beginners up to intermediate users... but doesn't leave anything out you need to write good code.
The Girder/NetRemote manual does seem to have all the information you need... just in an indigestible lump. Adding full tutorials with a step by step guide would help new users (and even old users) immensely.
But hey, this is me... I found out how hard it is to teach someone computers when all you do is talk techspeak so I've been there. Having pupils eyes glaze over as I talked quotes and quote quads (anyone who knows APL will recognise those) will know what I mean (and this was after being taught by a real high tech geek - in fact I remember one manager saying "If ever we had a bomb threat, Steph would find the bomb and bloody re-program it to make it more efficient and play Stars and Stripes Forever."). Heck I used to teach APL and now I can only dimly remember the damn language so that shows how bad my brain has devolved due to drugs usage (************ morphine... this is your brain on drugs... mannnnnnnn). Lack of use of a language makes it hard to go back to... adding tutorials can greatly improve the speed of relearning languages too.
Perhaps I should start putting together my own dummies guide for new users starting NetRemote and Girder... I sure have had some problems (eventually solving them through perseverance and help from this forum) and I finally am starting to comprehend the programing/API more (you may have noticed less questions here lately heh)... I just wished there had been tutorials out there for when I started. But "Put up or shut up" I guess I'm thinking. Once I get some time I'll write up my discoveries that will hopefully help others who are going through similar problems. Perhaps at least someone will benefit from my nights yelling at my laptop.
Hmmm...
Microsoft got around this by having two main manuals for VB6 for example. A manual for syntax which is what you have... and a programming manual which show you how to use the syntax in a real environment. Even those left a great big hole which was taken up by the "dummies" guides... I personally learned VB5 from a "Learn VB in 14 days" which was exactly what a good manual should include... walkthroughs of example after example. It was an excellent example of how programming manuals for beginners up to intermediate users... but doesn't leave anything out you need to write good code.
The Girder/NetRemote manual does seem to have all the information you need... just in an indigestible lump. Adding full tutorials with a step by step guide would help new users (and even old users) immensely.
But hey, this is me... I found out how hard it is to teach someone computers when all you do is talk techspeak so I've been there. Having pupils eyes glaze over as I talked quotes and quote quads (anyone who knows APL will recognise those) will know what I mean (and this was after being taught by a real high tech geek - in fact I remember one manager saying "If ever we had a bomb threat, Steph would find the bomb and bloody re-program it to make it more efficient and play Stars and Stripes Forever."). Heck I used to teach APL and now I can only dimly remember the damn language so that shows how bad my brain has devolved due to drugs usage (************ morphine... this is your brain on drugs... mannnnnnnn). Lack of use of a language makes it hard to go back to... adding tutorials can greatly improve the speed of relearning languages too.
Perhaps I should start putting together my own dummies guide for new users starting NetRemote and Girder... I sure have had some problems (eventually solving them through perseverance and help from this forum) and I finally am starting to comprehend the programing/API more (you may have noticed less questions here lately heh)... I just wished there had been tutorials out there for when I started. But "Put up or shut up" I guess I'm thinking. Once I get some time I'll write up my discoveries that will hopefully help others who are going through similar problems. Perhaps at least someone will benefit from my nights yelling at my laptop.
Hmmm...