From: Bruce Momjian <maillist@candle.pha.pa.us>
To: Clark C. Evans <clark.evans@manhattanproject.com>
Cc: PostgreSQL-documentation <docs@postgreSQL.org>
Subject: Re: [DOCS] Business Plan for PostgreSQL book?
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 14:05:55 -0400 (EDT)
Message-ID: <199910141805.OAA25567@candle.pha.pa.us> (raw)
In-Reply-To: <Pine.LNX.4.10.9910140929390.8644-100000@distributedsystems.com>
>
> Bruce,
>
> Were you going to do this as a "group" project or
> is it a "solo" venture?
I am taking this on as a solo project.
> However, if it is a "solo" deal, then you you should
> make it pretty clear -- otherwise I see heart-ache and
> bad feelings.
I have hesitated to talk about this in any more detail until I have
discussed this via telephone with Marc, Thomas, and Tom Lane. I feel I
need to get clearance from them on this. Vadim, unfortunately, is too
far away to telephone.
> Why do it this way? Beacuse PostgreSQL is a community
> effort, and a solo book sucks. Also, you want the
> book done, so direct rewards for contribution work
> does wonders! To use parts of the documentation,
> Thomas Lockheart would have to be given a percentage
> in the book, etc. Anyway, if the system is clear
> you will get far more help than otherwise...
Well, I don't think a "group-written" book is going to read very well.
Everyone has a different style, and a mis-mash of writing styles in a
book will not work. It also will take too long to produce a book in
that way.
The book will be available via the Web and in PDF format even before it
is completed. (I am writing it using LyX/LaTeX). I have written the
first two chapters, and will be putting them out for everyone to read
and use very soon. This book project will clearly be a win for all
PostgreSQL users, whether they buy the book or not.
That doesn't mean I will not be including significant amount of our
existing documentation. For example, I would probably include the
'manual' pages at the end of the book, like many computer books.
As far a money, let me mention something. While making $0 with
PostgreSQL (I don't use it in my work, or even at home to store any
data.), I have always offered to put money into the project because I
think it is only fair that the costs be born fairly by the people
involved. I have sent money to support our server, I have offered to
send more in the past, and have offered to host the PostgreSQL Award
around-the-world tour by including checks to pay for every leg of the
trip. I have done other monetary gifts for PostgreSQL.
So, if there need for some money for PostgreSQL, let me know. With or
without the book, I am always interested in helping.
Once I talk to everyone, I will be saying more.
--
Bruce Momjian | http://www.op.net/~candle
maillist@candle.pha.pa.us | (610) 853-3000
+ If your life is a hard drive, | 830 Blythe Avenue
+ Christ can be your backup. | Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 19026
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To: pgsql-docs@postgresql.org
Cc: maillist@candle.pha.pa.us, clark.evans@manhattanproject.com, docs@postgreSQL.org
Subject: Re: [DOCS] Business Plan for PostgreSQL book?
In-Reply-To: <199910141805.OAA25567@candle.pha.pa.us>
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