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The anonymous poem
== A poem about documentation ==
"Yet another context user" posted [http://archive.contextgarden.net/message/20100403.155801.7098c48a.en.html this poem] to the mailing list
<pre>
If you were surprised, like me
Fifty emails, in your inbox to see
Let me help you with a summary
Of what happended, using a poor excuse for poetry
It was the day of fools
When Arthur tried to be cool
In ConTeXt mailing list he shouted, "Look
I am going to write a ConTeXt book!"
Everyone was happy and had a thrill
Till Martin said, "it is the first of April"
His joke ruined, Arthur was sad
He said Martin, this is bad
Other users were also upset, taken for a ride
The lack of a book, is not a matter of pride
There were cries and a big fuss
I was just getting started, said Russ
After that comments did pour
Its not even funny, said Gour
All of us would be out of luck
If Hans were to be hit by a bus!
Citing Douglas Adams said Taco
That will make the bus, a shamed loco
In time back it 'ill go
And slam its breaks, like a pro
Writing documentation is no fun
It that the reason it is shun
Even if you do write something
Does anyone even read the damn thing?
Taco lamented all he hears is that 'it sucks'
Demotivated, he may just pass the buck
"Oh please, don't let the project slack
If you write something, we will give you feedback"
This circle of arguments is always repeated
Whenever the question of documentation gets tweeted
A new conspiracy theory was added this time
"They want to keep it a secret," it's a crime
I am sick and tired of all the pretext
Why do you think anyone should write a book on ConTeXt?
Taco and Hans, their hands are full
Everyone else is just using a tool
(Actually when I was writing this chronology
Irdis was thinking about a typographical ontology)
If you think that the documentation is lacking
Do something, rather than grumbling
Here's a suggestion, if I may give to thee
Follow it, and you'll be a ConTeXt prodigee
Pick up a pen and go 'n write
On any part of ConTeXt that you like
A wiki article, a blog post, are good places to start
People reading them will relish the knowledge it imparts
Write an example, show how things work
Don't just hide there and lurk
If nothing else, write about what you find confusing
Others writing documentation may find it motivating
On this note, this summary I'll end
You were not offended, I'll pretend
Finally a request, if I may
Let me be anonymous, please, I pray
A promise in passing, I'll also make
Someday a ConTeXt book or tutorial, I may bake
I am waiting for time and a muse
At least, that is my excuse
-- A ConTeXt User
</pre>
* Later in the thread Idris told how his name should be pronounced
<pre>
>>> (Actually when I was writing this chronology
>>> Irdis was thinking about a typographical ontology)
>>
>> Who is this Irdis?
> Oh, my heart now bleeds
> That I couldn't spell the name of Prof Hamid
Our anonymous YACU ran, slipped and had to skid,
Neither did (s)he know how to rhyme with Hamid
Accent in Hamid is on the first syllable,
Otherwise pronouncing it will be untenable
</pre>
"Yet another context user" posted [http://archive.contextgarden.net/message/20100403.155801.7098c48a.en.html this poem] to the mailing list
<pre>
If you were surprised, like me
Fifty emails, in your inbox to see
Let me help you with a summary
Of what happended, using a poor excuse for poetry
It was the day of fools
When Arthur tried to be cool
In ConTeXt mailing list he shouted, "Look
I am going to write a ConTeXt book!"
Everyone was happy and had a thrill
Till Martin said, "it is the first of April"
His joke ruined, Arthur was sad
He said Martin, this is bad
Other users were also upset, taken for a ride
The lack of a book, is not a matter of pride
There were cries and a big fuss
I was just getting started, said Russ
After that comments did pour
Its not even funny, said Gour
All of us would be out of luck
If Hans were to be hit by a bus!
Citing Douglas Adams said Taco
That will make the bus, a shamed loco
In time back it 'ill go
And slam its breaks, like a pro
Writing documentation is no fun
It that the reason it is shun
Even if you do write something
Does anyone even read the damn thing?
Taco lamented all he hears is that 'it sucks'
Demotivated, he may just pass the buck
"Oh please, don't let the project slack
If you write something, we will give you feedback"
This circle of arguments is always repeated
Whenever the question of documentation gets tweeted
A new conspiracy theory was added this time
"They want to keep it a secret," it's a crime
I am sick and tired of all the pretext
Why do you think anyone should write a book on ConTeXt?
Taco and Hans, their hands are full
Everyone else is just using a tool
(Actually when I was writing this chronology
Irdis was thinking about a typographical ontology)
If you think that the documentation is lacking
Do something, rather than grumbling
Here's a suggestion, if I may give to thee
Follow it, and you'll be a ConTeXt prodigee
Pick up a pen and go 'n write
On any part of ConTeXt that you like
A wiki article, a blog post, are good places to start
People reading them will relish the knowledge it imparts
Write an example, show how things work
Don't just hide there and lurk
If nothing else, write about what you find confusing
Others writing documentation may find it motivating
On this note, this summary I'll end
You were not offended, I'll pretend
Finally a request, if I may
Let me be anonymous, please, I pray
A promise in passing, I'll also make
Someday a ConTeXt book or tutorial, I may bake
I am waiting for time and a muse
At least, that is my excuse
-- A ConTeXt User
</pre>
* Later in the thread Idris told how his name should be pronounced
<pre>
>>> (Actually when I was writing this chronology
>>> Irdis was thinking about a typographical ontology)
>>
>> Who is this Irdis?
> Oh, my heart now bleeds
> That I couldn't spell the name of Prof Hamid
Our anonymous YACU ran, slipped and had to skid,
Neither did (s)he know how to rhyme with Hamid
Accent in Hamid is on the first syllable,
Otherwise pronouncing it will be untenable
</pre>
