Subject: Re: bin/7249
To: David Brownlee <abs@netbsd.org>
From: AnorEXia <anorexia@telkom.net>
List: tech-kern
Date: 07/20/2000 00:50:52
I would just say I agree with any SGML-kind implementation manpage format
On Tue, 18 Jul 2000, David Brownlee wrote:
> This contains both signal and noise, noise prefixed by '( '
>
> ( I'd like to second this, and I'm only sorry I wasn't
> ( online to comment earlier.
>
> ( I am very disappointed by the inappropriately agressive
> ( replies that seemed to be based on the most cursory glance
> ( at the original post.
>
> I like manpages, but I agree there are a couple of obvious
> features missing compared to some other formats:
>
> - Follow references to other documents
> - Jump to, or even see an index of sections
> - Sanely search for implemented commands or similar
> (eg: Just try to lookup the 'complete' syntax in tcsh(1))
>
> Switching the man page source format to html would address some of
> those issues, at a tradeoff many people are not willing to make.
>
> ( It is unfortunate that some of them seem unable to express
> ( their feelings in a rational manner, and interesting to note
> ( that some of the same set may have in the past expressed
> ( amusement at similar behaviour on linux lists..
>
> Alternative options include:
>
> a) Having an easy way, possibly even a package, to convert all the
> manpages on an existing system to html. I personally would set
> this up on some of my servers for others here. Documenting the
> .Xr macro would be a good addition to this.
>
> b) Provide all manpages in 'text' and 'html' output by default.
>
> c) Allowing new manpages to be written in DocBook or some other
> 'real' document language.
>
> d) Produce a slightly modified nroff output which could be
> processed by a slightly modified more to allow following
> of references to other docs, and jumping to index sections.
>
> I would love to see a) - it helps those who want to read in html,
> without annoying those who prefer to write in mdoc.
>
> David/absolute
> -- www.netbsd.org: A pmap for every occasion --
>
>
> On Tue, 18 Jul 2000, Mike Pelley wrote:
>
> > You guys sure showed him. He'll think twice before his next post.
> >
> > People who suggest that Mike implied X in his original post appear not to have read the original message, part of which is quoted below.
> >
> > > I propose junking man pages as we know them, keeping all documentation
> > > in html, and making the man command essentially a stripped-down lynx (or
> > > other specialized text-based browser).
> >
> > It seems quite clear to me.
> >
> > I prefer man pages to html myself, but I think exploring the options is worthwhile. The abuse, however, seems unnecessary and counterproductive.
> >
> > Mike.
> >
>
>
>