Humour
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A poem about documentation
"Yet another context user" posted this poem to the mailing list
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
- Later in the thread Idris told how his name should be pronounced
>>> (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
What if Hans's were hit by a bus
- Taco's brilliant answer to this question
> This raises another concern and that is: what is the future of ConTeXt > is Hans "get hit by the bus"? (Of course, we even do not want to think > about it...) The answer to this question is quite obvious if you have read Douglas Adams' books: the bus will think about the impact of its actions on the universe for a moment. Then, deeply immersed in gut-wrenching shame, it will travel back in time half a minute and push its own breaks for an emergency stop.
latex and LaTeX
(by Taco Hoekwater on the mailing list)
Creating beautiful latex garments is at least as challenging as creating beautiful LaTeX documents (I tried, in earlier days). And just like in LaTeX, the problem areas are glue control and insert placement. Selling latex garments is also similar to selling LaTeX books: it is quite a niche market and your clients are considered fetishists by most other people.
Goodies from the mailing list
(1) " female logic"
http://www.mail-archive.com/ntg-context@ntg.nl/msg22409.html
(2) "everyday the same version"
http://www.mail-archive.com/ntg-context@ntg.nl/msg47711.html
(3) "nuke_my_computer" module
http://www.mail-archive.com/ntg-context@ntg.nl/msg49587.html