[OpenLayers-Users] OpenLayers Book

[Chip Taylor]

I agree with what most people here have to say about contributions and, if I were more than a developer at a company that uses OL, I'd be extremely happy to contribute financially.  Unfortunately reality is that Open Source is not supported adequately by people and the very nature of Open Source is that it is there for the taking.  That said, to consider otherwise is wishful thinking that, unless the OS model changes (and I don't see it doing that).  I still stick by the statement that good code without good documentation is less than the product it should be.  I also realize that given the model and the reluctance of programmers to document code I doubt the situation will change much.  Hey, I totally understand that.  Without the incentive of remaining employed I doubt I would do as much documentation in my job as I do.  If indeed a book could be published I know I could convince my management to buy copies.  But to ask them to spend money to have it created from scratch, well, it just ain't gonna happen. (especially in the present economic climate)..

 

Chip Taylor
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-----Original Message-----
From: Yves Moisan [mailto:yves.moisan at boreal-is.com] 
Sent: January 14, 2009 08:27
To: Chip Taylor
Subject: RE: [OpenLayers-Users] OpenLayers Book

Hi Chip,

Le mardi 13 janvier 2009 à 14:28 -0800, Chip Taylor a écrit :
> Just curious about your statement "I don't think we should take it upon
> ourselves to waste
> beautiful Saturdays generating documentation for free (person opinion)."

Well that statement isn't mine : it's Tim's (who has an email in the
thread). 

> Why would you "waste your beautiful Saturdays" generating code for free
> then?  

I'll give you the same answer : that's not sustainable development IMHO.
I understand there are a lot of people with free time on their hands (or
willing to nudge on their free time) to program, but I find it
particularly sarcastic to consider that many of the main beneficiaries
of FOSS projects do not engage in its development.  I see countless
universities using this and that and not developing anything in return,
let alone put some dough into the project.  I find it unfortunate that
FOSS projects need to rely on people's spare time to evolve, be it for
the paramount task of writing code and most paramount task of writing
docs ;-).  

> Code without good documentation is less than product and code without
> documentation at all is good only for the person who wrote it in the first
> place - and then only as long and that person can remember how they did
> things!  Open Source is cool, Open Source is fun but there has to be a
> reason for a person to make that effort to develop the software.  Most times
> that reason is the pride in a job well done and the appreciation one feels
> when you see your efforts being used.  Without good documentation to
> accompany that immense effort of development, neither the pride nor
> satisfaction can be truly realized.  My opinion only of course. (and I am
> grateful for what has been accomplished here!)

+ 100 !

Cheers,

Yves



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