Re: Re: documentation or lack thereof

[Patrick Shirkey <pshirkey@boosthardware.com>]

Paul Davis wrote:

> i disagree. there seem to be very few people interested in working on
> alsa-kernel or alsa-lib. most people want a nice, easy to use API so
> that they can dump sounds to an audio interface or possibly record
> them. the number of people with the skills, knowledge and interest in
> working on ALSA has always been remarkably low.
> 
> on the other hand, having more documentation is almost always a good
> thing. now, where are the volunteers?
> 

Lot's of possible flames here but the main thing is that the people who 
do understand the alsa-driver well enough are either too busy to find 
the time or have justifiable reservations about getting their prose online.

Mailing lists are much better for these people than official documents.

Unfortunately the people like myself are not in a position to edit large 
amounts of code documentation which we scour from the lists. I can 
however do a reasonable attempt at formatting the stuff. However I don't 
have much time or inclination to learn docbook at the moment so it 
wouldn't be a standard format.

But it will probably help people if I put the basics up on line. So I 
will do some work on it over the next few days.

AFAIK there is only one other person round here who has the motivation 
and skills to do the docbook work and he must be busy at the moment or 
found other things to do.

Anyway against all odds the past year has netted us the alsa-docs, 
alsa-wiki, Paul and Matthias's basic programming howtos, Takashi's 
desription of how to build a driver which equal 5 new docs. Not bad at all.

The only thing we need now is an indepth doc on doing midi programming 
which Juan Linetsky has started but has declined offering it to the public.


-- 
Patrick Shirkey - Boost Hardware Ltd.
For the discerning hardware connoisseur
Http://www.boosthardware.com
Http://www.djcj.org - The Linux Audio Users guide
========================================

Being on stage with the band in front of crowds shouting, "Get off! No! 
We want normal music!", I think that was more like acting than anything 
I've ever done.

Goldie, 8 Nov, 2002
The Scotsman



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