Rob Stewart <stewart@sig.com> writes:
Given the rate at which new libraries are proposed, I cannot do this task alone. I'm the father of eight (yes, 8!) children (so far, at least), I have a full time job, etc. Like everyone else, I'm quite busy. Thus, I need help. I intend to be the manager of a group of folks who can divide the workload to make it manageable. To that end, I propose the following positions to assist in improving the state of Boost documentation:
Editors - Folks with demonstrably good English skills who can assist library authors by clarifying and correcting the documentation at various times, as determined by the author, so the meaning is clear. Editors also advice the author on structural changes necessary to conform to Boost guidelines. Editors are not so much concerned with content as with clear communication of what is included.
Domain Experts*** - Folks with special skills in writing certain types of documentation such as concepts or tutorials; when a library author is struggling to write a portion of the library's documentation, the author can call upon the appropriate domain expert for assistance.
Mentors - Folks with skills and desire to write good documentation who can come alongside a new library author to ghost write, share writing tasks, suggest content, etc. The output from author/mentor collaboration must still be approved by an editor.
Rob, I like the direction you're going in but I think your plan may be a bit too elaborate to manage. I suggest that you start with something more lightweight --- like a group of trusted volunteer editors and no further classification --- and start handing out jobs as necessary. I think you'll quickly discover the different kinds of roles that people need to play. In other words, I suggest that you let the structure of this effort evolve more organically. It will surely reveal itself as you go along. And --- though I really don't have time --- I volunteer to help anyway :) -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting www.boost-consulting.com