From: James Britt <james_b@...>
Date: 2006-03-08T00:51:18+09:00
Subject: Re: No documentation for modules on RubyForge?

James Edward Gray II wrote:

> ... 
> What have you done to improve the new user experience?  This is an  open 
> source community, so we all need to be doing our part.
> 
> I've documented four standard libraries now and I run the Ruby Quiz,  so 
> I'm sure trying to do mine.
> 

I want to say "Thanks!" for what James has done, and continues to do, 
and  remind people that the barrier to entry is, for many things, quite 
low.    There are all sort of ways people can help improve Ruby and the 
Ruby community, even if you are just starting out.

You do not need to write a full-featured application, nor author a 
bestselling book, nor host and maintain a high-traffic Ruby site.  There 
are Ruby libraries whose docs need a review for accuracy, code that 
needs even basic comments.  One can document their experiences and offer 
concrete suggestions on improvement, or publish notes on what they 
learned.  Put together a "Tips for Newbies" page.  Read ruby-talk and 
offer to answer questions, even if all one knows is basic stuff. (It's a 
good way to learn Ruby. Public exposure of ignorance is a great teacher. 
  Trust me on this; I know from experience.)

It seems their are people who believe that the Ruby community is a 
well-funded, well-organized group of full-times Ruby uberlords, and that 
sufficient griping will goad The Powers That Be into Making Things Right.

The reality is that things happen in Ruby because people who might 
otherwise have simply griped realized that they are The Powers That Be.


-- 
James Britt

"A principle or axiom is of no value without the rules for applying it."
   - Len Bullard