After looking at the Mathematica documentation



Hello all,

It has been suggested that the Mathematica documentation
could be a model to follow. Indeed, after browsing 
http://documents.wolfram.com/mathematica I see that
it has some interesting features. 

Here are a few points that stand out to me. Maxima might or 
might not follow suit. There are certainly other models to follow.

 * Each function is on a separate page.

 * Page title is the function name.

 * Links at the top of the page show the place of
   the item in a hierarchy of categories.
   Clicking on a category name shows the items in the category.

 * Related items mentioned in the text have web links.
   This includes "See also" items.

 * Color and font distinguish aspects of the description.
   A synopsis stands out at the top. In examples, comments
   and labels are colored differently from input & output.
   Arguments are italicized (except for examples).

 * Descriptions are bullet lists. There are links to 
   further discussions.

 * Documents are enclosed in a box which fills
   about 2/3 the screen width.

Here are some examples.
http://documents.wolfram.com/mathematica/functions/$Notebooks
http://documents.wolfram.com/mathematica/functions/With
http://documents.wolfram.com/mathematica/functions/Append
http://documents.wolfram.com/mathematica/functions/Integrate

It seems that the features mentioned above are largely things
that could be implemented via style sheets or automated 
processing of some kind, if we think them important. 
I might try to create a mock up using some of these ideas.

For what it's worth,
Robert Dodier



	
		
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