On Wed, 2008-10-29 at 11:58 -0600, Robert Dodier wrote:
> On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 11:10 AM, Robert Jerrard
> <rjerrard at math.concordia.ab.ca> wrote:
>
> > I like the idea of a help system but since there are a number of
> > interfaces for Maxima perhaps it would be best to create a web help
> > site.
>
> Well, html pages are generated from the reference manual and
> those pages are packaged with Maxima and wxMaxima, and are
> also posted on the Maxima web site.
>
> > Would there be any interest in creating a wiki for Maxima help or
> > is there one already that I am not aware of? If this were available then
> > each interface could have a help button that links to the wiki.
>
> There was a Maxima wiki which had some useful stuff on it.
> However due to changes at the hosting site (Sourceforge) it is down.
> That reminds me; I need to send a snapshot to our webmaster.
>
> The wiki was pretty much orthogonal to the reference manual,
> which is as it should be, I believe.
> I am very hesitant to create a wiki or web site which duplicates
> information from the reference manual, except for verbatim copies.
I would see a help wiki as providing a verbatim copy of the reference
manual that is searchable. But I would also see it as an opportunity for
users of Maxima to provide examples of its use, mini how-to's, install
or other problem solutions, and issues associated with various
interfaces.
Does anyone know if the Sourceforge wiki will come up again? I am not
familiar with the wiki site. I have been to
http://sourceforge.net/projects/maxima/ and
http://maxima.sourceforge.net/
Perhaps those sites should be enough for people, the reference manual,
and tutorials are available there. Presumably contributions of the kind
I am thinking could be made to these sites. Or maybe a search tool could
be added to the second site in particular.
I really appreciate the effort it has taken to create Maxima and what it
is already capable of. I would like to see its continued success.
Bob
--
Dr. Robert J. Jerrard, Professor of Mathematics,
Concordia University College of Alberta,
7128 Ada Blvd., Edmonton, Alberta, T5B 4E4, Canada.
Phone: 780-479-9291, Fax: 780-474-1933.