discuss: Joining pan-Unix
Subject:
Re: Joining pan-Unix
From:
David Merrill ####@####.####
Date:
27 Sep 2001 04:22:59 -0000
Message-Id: <20010927002117.B14960@lupercalia.net>
On Wed, Sep 26, 2001 at 08:09:15PM -0700, Poet/Joshua Drake wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have been quiet about this because I wanted to give it some serious
> thought. That said, I don't think we should join pan-UNIX.
>
> This is nothing against them, I am sure they are a fine org, with fine
> people working on their project. There are a couple of points that I see
> that make it unreasonable for the LDP to "join" pan-UNIX:
>
> 1. Linux is NOT UNIX (don't kid yourself)
>
> 2. We are an established, successful project (if it ain't broke, don't fix
> it)
>
> 3. We will loose our individuality. We will no longer be a "Linux"
> project
>
> 4. The LDP already is already driving forward with future plans. I think
> it would be silly to drop all of those.
I agree with those statements, but we would all benefit from working
more closely together and sharing resources. It's the duplication of
efforts that are the problem, as well as the lack of standards. I've
no doubt it can be made to work, but only if the parties care enough
to see it happen.
My personal experience with the Gnome Documentation Project was
frustrating. I pushed for a standards-based XML, but they are still
going to use their own gnome: uris.
It is impossible to link from an LDP document to a Gnome document, or
from Gnome to KDE. They can link to our website, but they cannot link
to the local LDP documents. They are different databases, and there
doesn't seem to be any interest in working out a common addressing
scheme.
> Now, there is some overlap in their documentation versus our
> documentation. If individual others want to join their project and work on
> the LDP and pan-UNIX. Let them, sounds good. In fact I think both projects
> would benefit from something like this.
>
> Beyond a general working relationship, I don't like the idea of joining
> any other project. In fact, things like the GDP and the KDP should be
> joining us.
Perhaps so, but that won't happen. And working together is a very
nebulous concept which we need to make a bit more concrete if we want
to pursue it.
I'ts Not Invented Here syndrome over and over again.
Perhaps there is a way to work on a common document base in DocBook XML,
which I think everyone is using now. Theoretically we could have a
common cvs even. Unfortunately I think the herding cats problem will
stand in the way of anything really happening. But I'm willing to give
it a go if you are.
I am very interested in advancing our use of XML, particularly XLink
and perhaps XML Topic Maps, but those technologies don't work without
standardized use across a knowledge base. There are so many things
that could be done if we weren't all going in different directions.
But once again, it's an uphill battle and my experience so far with
the desktops says it won't be a priority for them. They live in their
own little Gnome or KDE world, and that's their priority.
Understandable, but lamentable from our perspective.
--
Dr. David C. Merrill http://www.lupercalia.net
Linux Documentation Project ####@####.####
Collection Editor & Coordinator http://www.linuxdoc.org
We all worship the black bean
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