Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!mattd
From: mattd@Apple.COM (Matt Deatherage)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Toolbox Reference Errata
Message-ID: <31646@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 25 May 89 18:33:57 GMT
References: <31468@apple.Apple.COM> <8586@ihlpf.ATT.COM>
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA
Lines: 47

In article <8586@ihlpf.ATT.COM> bird@ihlpf.ATT.COM (Walters) writes:
>
>1. Since any reasonable person knows that the documentation is going to
>   change, why is it printed in a hardbound book. Why not print it in
>   ring binder format so corrected/added pages can be inserted?
>
Apparently more people have demonstrated to Apple and Addison-Wesley that
they like the "look and feel" of the hardcover version.  Enough Macintosh
developers have complained that now APDA offers Inside Macintosh in a loose-
leaf format, although "no updates are planned at this time."  I would suggest
you contact the Developer Technical Publications group at Apple, or the
product manager in charge of all this (our friend Gary Little) and tell him
if you want loose-leaf versions.  I imagine they'd make them if they thought
they wouldn't lose tons of money on them, but that's just a guess from someone
who really doesn't know.

>2. When one gets an update, that means you have to go into the
>   mode where you have to look something up twice. Once in the original
>   book and then once more in the supplements. Given Apple's indexing
>   scheme (each new issue will have the same subject indexed elsewhere
>   unless it has been removed from the index), it can take some time.
>
There are two ways to pursue documentation updates - produce a "delta" manual
listing the changes since the last manual, or reproduce the entire documentation
set with new material.  The latter is obviously the most convenient for the
programmer, but brings back the problem Dave Whitney talked about that everyone
has to buy it again, and some people can't afford it.  New manuals are best,
delta manuals cost less.  So far, we've opted for the delta manuals so that the
most people can afford them.  If you have a differing opinion, I suggest
contacting those above who are in a position to take that opinion and do
something with it.


-- 
>				Joe Walters att!ihlpf!bird   
>				IHP 1F-240 (312) 416-5356


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt Deatherage, Apple Computer, Inc. | "The opinions expressed in this tome
Send PERSONAL mail ONLY (please) to:  | should not be construed to imply that
AppleLink PE: Matt DTS  GEnie: AIIDTS | Apple Computer, Inc., or any of its
CompuServe: 76703,3030                | subsidiaries, in whole or in part,
Usenet:  mattd@apple.com              | have any opinion on any subject."
UUCP:  (other stuff)!ames!apple!mattd | "So there."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------