discuss: man pages


Previous by date: 15 May 2003 15:34:38 -0000 man pages, Rahul Sundaram
Next by date: 15 May 2003 15:34:38 -0000 re:man pages, Greg Ferguson
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Subject: Re: man pages
From: "Anthony E. Greene" ####@####.####
Date: 15 May 2003 15:34:38 -0000
Message-Id: <3EC3B459.4050904@pobox.com>

Rahul Sundaram wrote:
> Today when I don’t know something about a command,
> asking someone else who does know how it is used is
> much better than going through the comprehensive but
> terse manual pages. I think this should change.

I think there are two different needs here that are best addressed with 
two different sets of documentation.

When learning how to use Linux, users need tutorial documents. The HOWTOs 
and web sites are generally good for teaching. They offer lots of 
explanations and examples, which is exactly right for learning a new tool.

But when trying to remember how to use a command that I'm already familiar 
with, I do not want to wade through pages and pages of HOWTOS or search 
all over the Web. A terse, but comprehensive man or info page is just right.

Tony
-- 
Anthony E. Greene ####@####.####
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Linux. The choice of a GNU generation. <http://www.linux.org/>


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