From: Bruce Momjian <maillist@candle.pha.pa.us>
Message-Id: <199910141805.OAA25567@candle.pha.pa.us>
Subject: Re: [DOCS] Business Plan for PostgreSQL book?
In-Reply-To: <Pine.LNX.4.10.9910140929390.8644-100000@distributedsystems.com>
	from "Clark C. Evans" at "Oct 14, 1999 10:04:32 am"
To: "Clark C. Evans" <clark.evans@manhattanproject.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 14:05:55 -0400 (EDT)
CC: PostgreSQL-documentation <docs@postgreSQL.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

> 
> 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