RE: New User Comments

["Ross Olson" <rosso@exactimaging.com>]

******    message to minivend-users from "Ross Olson" <rosso@exactimaging.com>     ******

> From: "Thompson-Jordan" <Thompson-Jordan@mindspring.com>
>
> > 1) The "Simple Template" is Not simple for new users. I'd call it the
> 
> There is a volunteer Minivend Documentation project just starting. You
> help would be useful. If you could describe in more detail what you would
> remove from the simple template to make it a beginner template (i.e. page
> or feature) and email it to minivend-docs@minivend.com it would be very
> helpful. Or, if you have stripped down the simple template to a beginner
> version, zip it up and donate it.
> 
> Again, if you could outline all the steps you can think of that you went
> through it would be helpful. This can be as detailed or general as you
> have time.

I've been trying to document my steps as I've gone through the system,
and remembering where most of my bruises came from. :) I'll send off an
e-mail with the major points in the next hour or so. Is this a
discussion list?

I haven't made changes to the first template for fear of not being able
to re-trace my steps after my first few tries at getting _my_ database
set. (I'm not having any problems with the sample database, just in
customizing it.) Thanks for your pointers, "Thompson-Jordan". (Is that
your first name, last-first, or something else? Intriguingly
ambiguous...) :)

---- ----- -----

> From: Barry Treahy <treahy@mmaz.com>
> 
> For what is worth Ross, there has been a lot of discussion about the documentation and there
> is on on-going project in the works for a rewrite.  As for simple vs complex, I believe it is
> relative.  I had very little difficulty getting the sample 'simple' database up and running.
> Where I experienced a few bruises was in the customizing of the system to relate to my
> companies needs and several people on the list have been of tremendous help.  Yes, I believe
> that better documentation would have reduced the number of past and present bruises.

Like I mentioned before, I'm in the same boat. If I were in the Art
business, I'd be fine. :) However, since this demo sells Electronic
Equipment, I'm finding things a bit more sticky. I'm glad to know I'm
not the only one with bruises.

> you go unanswered, but this is not a commercially supported product.  I sometimes forget that
> myself and get irritated, but hopefully I cool off before I press the SEND button...

I will certainly keep this in mind.

---- ----- -----

> From: "Thompson-Jordan" <Thompson-Jordan@mindspring.com>
>
> > relative.  I had very little difficulty getting the sample
> > 'simple' database up and running.
> 
> I agree. I think the proposed "simplest" demo is intended for two groups:
> those who are not experienced computer users and those who know that the
> catalog they want to implement is very basic. If you are an experienced
> with operating systems, web servers, databases and programming languages
> then the current "simple" demo is probably more appropriate because is
> show most features.

Ah, there's the rub. I think the simple shouldn't show off most of the
features. It should be far more focused and stripped down. I don't think
I'm alone in equating "simple" with "not all the features". I'm not
coming close to having to deal with SQL, I don't have pictures of my
products, and I'd be doing the first round of transactions by hand,
without the credit card ordering. Having these in a demo is
*invaluable*, and will be very helpful further down the road. But only
further down the road.

I'm glad to see that besides the usual "language/HTML encoding" snits,
this list seems populated with polite, thoughtful, dedicated supporters.

I'd like to note that I'm not usually this prolific in posting, but I've
got a deadline that I'm trying to make, and this package is the final
hurdle. :)

...Ross...

PS, for the list operator: Does replying to the digest version of the
list send back to the list or to you? (Currently, hitting reply replies
to: minivend-users <owner-minivend-users@minivend.com>.)


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