A good while ago, I came across an online magazine called
tuxmagazine which seems to be aimed at the newbies amongst us.
I have no delusions as to my linux knowledge levels, and figured that that should be most helpful.
So this month theres an article about an information organisation app called "basket". It looks and reads like a very good idea except........
I start following the article. I get it installed, I then try to add my first bit of info (a URL as suggested in the article) but nothing on my screen seems to even vaguely resemble whats shown in the article either text or screenshot.
The upshot is that I can't get anywhere with this app, however good it may appear in the article.
I have no way of finding out why my view is any different from the one in the articles "screenie", I can't find anything that explains what I might be doing wrong. Hence uninstalling the app.
Now this may seem like a criticism of the magazine. It's not. It has more to do with how many linux related articles are written.
Surely, if it's supposed to be a "do this, then this, then that" type article (tutorial/set of instructions/whatever) then theoretically, it's supposed to work. Whereas they all seem like a jumbled maze of information.
It matters not, whether it's something from "tuxmagazine", or any other source (printed or otherwise). Don't these writers ever think of either trying a couple of guinea pigs to see if their instructions actually work or maybe run it by a proof reader, so that it's clear and makes sense? (or both?).
Linux seems to move in "leaps and bounds" except when it comes to documentation - where every move seems like a step back.
This post, for example, it's just my thoughts and opinions. Jumbled? possibly, but at least I'll preview it and attempt to ensure that it "reads" (or is that what the publishing/media industries call "scans") correctly?
Come on you "writers", please at least try to put your "stuff" in plain english, then not only will it make life easier for those of us who speak english as a first language, but it should also be more easily translatable for those who don't!