Call for volunteers!

[Stephen Lime]

Go ahead and blame the U. Eductation is a role I think they can fill better than anyone. It's even hard for me to write ample documentation because I'm too close to the code and often gloss over important details. I think your suggestions are an excellent idea.

I've certainly got enough demo stuff to work from with the "main" demo and more importantly the test suite. So is there anyone out there willin to take this on? Other projects have successfully implemented this so I see no reason the MapServer can't given it's install base is more than 200 sites now. I think a demo and doc CVS site that parallels the dev site would be great and I'll certainly get that going.

If your interested, please let me know! Thanks!

Steve

>>> Daniel Morissette <morissette at dmsolutions.on.ca> 10/20/00 00:24 AM >>>
Steve,

The attached message shows a problem that is unfortunately too common
with new MapServer users: lots of people that try using MapServer for
the first time run into problems with obsolete demo files (or lack of
troubleshooting help, or FAQ, or ???).  A few of them send a question to
the list, but too many probably go away just because they can't get the
demo running.

The same happened to me when I first tried MapServer... I had to fix up
the demo that I downloaded before I could get a map... took me only a
few minutes because I'm used to reverse-engineering... but the average
GIS person will just give up and download/try another package.

This message is not to blame you or UMN... I am in the same situation
with the PHP stuff (the GMap PHP demo on our FTP site is not in sync
with the software: it dates from May!).  I would like to suggest
something, but before sending a message out on the list I wanted to get
youropinion.

Since we (as developers) are already too busy with implementing stuff
and fixing bugs, and writing demos and tutorials is not a very good use
of our time, I would like to suggest that we build a team of 2 or 3
power users to be responsible for the maintenance/testing of demos and
tutorials on various platforms.

We would inform these individuals of new features as we implement them
and they would regularily update their copy of MapServer from the CVS
source (every week or so), test the new features by updating the
"official" demos and write new demos/tutorials/documentation showing the
new features if necessary.

When a MapServer release happens, they would be responsible of releasing
a new set of demos in sync with the software.  

The biggest problem is probably to find someone to take the lead of that
team since we've all got enough on our plate already.  Hopefully if we
send a note to the list someone will volounteer.

What do you think?
-- 
------------------------------------------------------------
 Daniel Morissette             morissette at dmsolutions.on.ca
               http://www.dmsolutions.on.ca/
------------------------------------------------------------
  Don't put for tomorrow what you can do today, because if 
      you enjoy it today you can do it again tomorrow.