Volunteer thread

Michelle Bisson · Post by **Michelle Bisson** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 4:57 pm

ravy,

Thank you for your interest in creating pdf version of our documentation. Presently, our Administrator Manual is done directly within Joomla!. We are not able to generate in pdf book form of our manuals.

This would have to be done manually. Because we have to do this manually, we would like to form a mini-team of 2 or 3 people if we want to keep the the pdf version of the Administrator manuall up to date daily.

As far as the Developers Manuals goes, you would need to contact Manuman in the Developer Documentation forum. Please confirm which manuals you would like to convert to pdf.

Please subscribe to the Doc forum
http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/topic,9223.0.html

Thank you!

@lex · Post by **@lex** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:36 am

A bit new to that place (Joomla) but used previously Mambo for my previous website (rest in peace !).
Forums are a wild jungle for me and perhaps am I not yet used to good habits !
@lex
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Actively contributing on a regular basis towards writing, editing, and proof-reading (5 hours/week commitment)
10 hours a week

2. Occasionally contributing towards writing, editing, and proof-reading (only when you have time - no commitment to the project)
5 hours a week

Other Questions:
1. How many hours/week are you able to commit to?
20 hours a week max right now (say until end of decembre)

2. Do you have any special skills and experience that may be of particular interest to the Doc Team?
Writting (telecommunication) technical docs for non specialist (my job)
Good command of English + French mother tongue

3. What is your time zone?
Europe / Paris

4. Is English your first language? If not, what language is?
English second langage / First French
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Michelle Bisson · Post by **Michelle Bisson** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:35 am

@lex,

Thank you for your interest! I have responded in another thread.

Michelle Bisson · Post by **Michelle Bisson** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 3:17 am

ravy,

We are currently looking into doing a docbook version that would easily convert into pdf format as well as other formats.

We would like to for a mini-team of 2 or 3 to work on this.

If there are others who would like to help on this project, please let me know here on the forum.

Thanks!

t17169 · Post by **t17169** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:33 pm

2. Occasionally contributing towards writing, editing, and proof-reading (only when you have time - no commitment to the project)

Other Questions:
1. How many hours/week are you able to commit to? Sometimes virtually none, other time I'm so obsessed I can't do much else.
2. Do you have any special skills and experience that may be of particular interest to the Doc Team? Would being an absolute beginner with no real levels of technical proficiency but being a very determined person fall into either category?
3. What is your time zone? Same as Central in the US
4. Is English your first language? Yes

I did write this installation guide for the 'technically challenged', such as myself: http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/topic,11926.0.html

On the 'other' forums, there seemed to be a lot more 'tc' folks than have migrated to Joomla just yet...but I have no doubt they're on the way. Sometimes, non-tc's just can't dumb down enough to make sense to the rest of us. The popularity of Anna's Tips is a fine example of how helpful non-tech speak can be. So, if I can help write anything for the 'tc's', I'm willing. I'm not afraid to try, fail, and keep trying and begging for help until I figure it out. And then I can write down howI succeeded in ways that us 'tc's can understand.

I also think our own folder (For the technically challenged because newbie could be an experienced programmer who is new to Joomla) on the forums might be good...good to help us feel less like an idiot in the middle of all this know-how and a good opportunity for those who do know how to be of service to a wider community. Joomla removes the barrier to entry that used to equal unaffordable, yet that same barrier was mostly replaced by technical proficiency. And no big bucks and no know-how equals the majority of people. And for those of us who do manage to build our sites in spite of our limitations, thanks to Joomla, it can have such a positive trickle-down effect in our own communities that the end result is literally changing the world. I live in Panama in Central America. I don't say this lightly or in a hokey way. I've seen $20 camera cable give a budding photographer, formerly in a street gang, a new lease on life.. Perhaps this whole paragraph is better posted elsewhere, sorry. Back to the biz at hand.

I'm also happy to do some proof reading on existing documents as long as it doesn't require tech proficiency. Typos I can see. I used to edit a monthly newspaper. And I thought the suggestions of explicit instructions as part of editing made a lot of sense.

Thanks so much!

Michelle Bisson · Post by **Michelle Bisson** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 3:33 am

t17169,

Thank you for your interest in the doc project. Your point of view as a newbie is important as sometimes we forget that things that we know how to do might be difficult for newbies to do.

Please subscribe to the Subscribe to forum thread.
http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/topic,9223.0.html

And keep an eye on Michelle's blog as I will be giving general instructions there.

ilox · Post by **ilox** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:53 pm

Ok Michelle, count me in for a few hours a week towards the Admin manual. Sometimes that might be as much as 15/wk, other times as much as 0/wk, especially when RL gets in the road.

I can read and write English but mostly I work in Australian and I understand some tech speak though not a programmer / developer.

My time zone is AEST - +0930 Zulu time

Like t17169 I have a very strong focus to KISS so that the tc folks can get onto this fantastic bandwagon and enjoy the ride. I also have a strong committment to the power of [* spam *] roots community so will be doing what i can to see that questions get some sort of answer, even if it is to help them find answers.

Michelle Bisson · Post by **Michelle Bisson** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:36 am

Please follow Michelle's Blog in this forum as I will be giving my general instructions there.

stimulus · Post by **stimulus** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 3:04 am

Michelle,
I'm interested in being a part of the team who'll review 3rd party documentation. I can contribute about 5 hours a week.

I have a Bachelor's degree in technical writing. I can email samples of my work if you want to review them. I have excellent writing and editing skills, and I know how to evaluate the effectiveness of software documentation. I designed a large, complex website for a non-profit in Mambo, so I think I have enough knowledge of Joomla! to review documentation.

I've taken several computer science classes, but I'm not a programmer. My programming abilities in Joomla! are limited to designing templates (HTML and CSS) and changing words in the language files. I can review and test documentation intended for administrators and end-users, but my programming knowledge may limit by ability to help with documentation intended for developers.

I'm in the Central time zone of the United States. English is my first language.

Michelle Bisson wrote: We are currently looking into doing a docbook version that would easily convert into pdf format as well as other formats.
We would like to for a mini-team of 2 or 3 to work on this.
If there are others who would like to help on this project, please let me know here on the forum.

I think creating future official manuals in docbook makes a lot of sense, since it's so easy to create multiple versions of a manual. I have a small amount of experience in Docbook and wouldn't mind learning more. Are you wanting to form a team to start creating the manual in Docbook, or are you just looking for people to evaluate whether Docbook is a good solution for the official manual?

Michelle Bisson · Post by **Michelle Bisson** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:22 am

Stimulus,

Thanks for your interest in the 3rd Party doc team as well as the Docbook/pdf project! I will get back to you!

dtm.exe · Post by **dtm.exe** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 2:30 pm

I would be more than happy to assist in doc writing, editing, and proofreading. I am an "A" student taking an AP English class. Since I'm somewhat new to Joomla!, proofreading would be best at this point in time.

I can remain extremely dedicated to this project as well. I can put in well over five hours of doc writing/proofreading each week.

I live in Charlotte, NC (Eastern Standard Time).

English is my first (and only) language.

I hope you consider me for the doc team, as I feel I would be an excellent addition

.

Michelle Bisson · Post by **Michelle Bisson** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 3:30 am

Thank you dtm.exe for your offer to help the doc project!

dtm.exe · Post by **dtm.exe** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:42 am

Michelle Bisson wrote: Thank you dtm.exe for your offer to help the doc project!

You're quite welcome. Anything to further benefit a project such as this

.

srijit · Post by **srijit** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:57 pm

first of all, the link in the first post of this thread gives a 404 error. it is pointing to forum.opensourcematters.com, and i believe it should point to forum.joomla.org
Now thats over, here are my answers:
2. Occasionally contributing towards writing, editing, and proof-reading (only when you have time - no commitment to the project)
Yes. I prefer editing and proof-reading. Can spare at least 10 hours a week. However, i cant be sure that i can maintian the hours required for regular writing, proof reading etc
Other Questions:
1. How many hours/week are you able to commit to?
I believe 10 hours per week. I already spend 3/4 of my time on the web and on joomla sites.
2. Do you have any special skills and experience that may be of particular interest to the Doc Team?
I believe that i have a good command of the english language, also i love editing documentation. Am a very fast reader, if that helps too :P
3. What is your time zone?
Am in India. GMT +5.30 Hrs
4. Is English your first language? If not, what language is?
Technically, no. English is not my first language. My first langauge is Malayalam.

ps: how do you feel about flash demo's for joomla. will they be helpfull? something like http://www.demodemo.com
If so then look out for me in the coming week :P

Post by **tj.baker** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:49 pm

Administrator Manual Team:

Do you want to help out with writing/editing/proof-reading with the Administrator Manua Team?
Yes
2. Occasionally contributing towards writing, editing, and proof-reading (only when you have time - no commitment to the project)
I would prefer to start off this way.... I may be able to do 10 hours one week, but only 2 the next (kids, you know.....

)

Other Questions:
1. How many hours/week are you able to commit to? 2-10
2. Do you have any special skills and experience that may be of particular interest to the Doc Team? Good working knowlege of computers and ability to self-teach and teach others what I learn.
3. What is your time zone? PST
4. Is English your first language? Yes

Lemme know what I can do!

peace

tj

charlwillia6 · Post by **charlwillia6** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:06 pm

first of all, the link in the first post of this thread gives a 404 error. it is pointing to forum.opensourcematters.com, and i believe it should point to forum.joomla.org

Thanks Srijit for pointing this out. It has now been updated.

Srijit and tj.baker,

Michelle should be getting with you guys soon. We are always looking for volunteers and any time you can give us will be benificial. Take a look at the Editorial Style Guide in the meantime and take a look at some of the threads here, http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/board,59.0.html that are marked "To Do" Those are the ones we are currently revising. Copy and paste your changes in the corresponding thread. All changes should be made in red if you revise them. If you have any questions, just let us know. Especially take a look at the ones that are marked as "1st Revision" and "2nd Revision." Starting out with those threads first will help you get a feel for what we are looking for, since they have already been revised once.

Thank you for your time and again, let us know if you have any questions until Michelle contacts you.

Charles

RSGracey · Post by **RSGracey** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 2:19 am

I'm interested in helping write the section that explains in global terms: "How you go about building a web site in Joomla!" I've been working with Mambo/Joomla! since July, and as soon as I could, I migrated over. I have learned many things "the hard way," and I'd like to give others an easier time getting oriented.

I am a member of the bishop's staff at the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, and I am now advocating to our parishes that they use Joomla! for setting up their web sites. This past Thursday, I gave my first "Joomla! for Webmasters" training day to help non-technical parish folks "get oriented" to joomla!. I am attaching my PowerPoint presentation so that you can see my approach. If I were writing a book on Joomla!, I'd of course be more specific and concrete, but I believe there needs to be a real explanation of how one is supposed to use this system, and to accomplish what goals.

I'm in Cleveland, so I'm on Eastern Time. Yes, my first language is English, but I'm also fairly fluent in French.

I could offer about 5 hours per week, more when I'm deeply involved in producing something.

I'm a real Joomla! evangelist (as well as the Christian kind), and I'd love to help people make an easy transition in.

Lemme know,
Stephen

----------------------------------
R. Stephen Gracey
Bishop's Assistant for Information Strategy
Episcopal Diocese of Ohio

http://www.dohio.org

rmvanvoorhis · Post by **rmvanvoorhis** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 3:27 pm

I just entered the world of Joomla! this morning through trial by fire and would like to contribute to the documentation of this project in any way possible.

Do you want to help out with writing/editing/proof-reading with the Administrator Manual Team? Yes

If yes, please let me know in what capacity.

2. Occasionally contributing towards writing, editing, and proof-reading (only when you have time - no commitment to the project)

Other Questions:
1. How many hours/week are you able to commit to? 2-3 +
2. Do you have any special skills and experience that may be of particular interest to the Doc Team? I am an experienced operations manual writer.
3. What is your time zone? CST-US
4. Is English your first language? If not, what language is? English is my first language.

andysyme · Post by **andysyme** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:18 pm

Posted this elsewhere before realising this was the place to do it

Hi,

I would love to help by preparing the pdfs. I have only recently got into Joomla, and already it is making my life so much easier! I would like to contribute, but am maybe not quite comfortable enough to write any instructional material just yet (as I am still picking it up myself) but creating pdfs would be ideal.

I will, of course, check out the TO DOs also

I can contribute a few hours a week - probably able to do almost daily updates once it is underway. I am in GMT (sometimes BST) and only speak English (to some degree!)

Andy.

charlwillia6 · Post by **charlwillia6** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 11:57 am

Hi everyone. We are getting a little behind because some of us have fell out the loop for a couple weeks due other projects (mainly yours truly). Michelle should be contacting everyone soon. If not, send her a quick PM telling her that you posted here in this thread. We need all the help we can get and we appreciate you guys volunteering. Thanks.

Charles

Michelle Bisson · Post by **Michelle Bisson** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 4:47 am

To all who have recently volunteered and sent me a pm.

I'll try to contact you in the next day or so.

Thanks!

rdb · Post by **rdb** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:55 am

Hi andysyme, rmvanvoorhis, RSGracey, tj.baker,

At some point in the past you all had indicated that you would like to contribute to the Joomla! documentation. Great to have you all on board.

Sorry about the long delay in getting back to you but we had some issues to deal with over the past couple of weeks.

OK, about the document project.

We've been focusing on getting the module documentation done first.
Go to this board : http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/board,59.0.html and choose any module documentation that has

1. "To Do:" in the subject line
2. Not been checked out by someone else
3. Not been edited by someone else (no "[1st Revision]" in subject line)

You should read this document http://forum.joomla.org/index.php/topic,31021.0.html before starting.$

You may wish to look at a couple of existing documents to get a feel for what's done before. All updates have been added to the 1.1 version of the online manual.

Finally when checking out a document for editing place a *** checked out for editing/proofreading ***" in red at the top of the thread. e.g.

*** Checked out for proof reading/editing ***
and
*** Checked back in from proof reading/editing ***

To checkout a document simply "reply" to the "TODO" posting for that module.

Pointers : I've found that actually checking module settings while writing the document allows for more accurate infomation. I use a generic joomla site and then click through the module's settings.

... and that should be it. Any problems, questions just ask.

Boa Prinz · Post by **Boa Prinz** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:59 pm

Hi,

I'm very interested in helping out in writing, editing, and proof-reading, with a strong preference for writing. I have many years of experience in writing technical/instruction manuals in the It industry. I am currently a full time Porject Manager on contract in the UK and can spare time in the evenings. As a long time user/installer of Mambo and now Joomla I can appreciate the systems configuration, complexity and uniqueness.

Here are some answers to yuor questions;

1. How many hours/week are you able to commit to? - 5 hours over the length of a week

2. Do you have any special skills and experience that may be of particular interest to the Doc Team? - Technical writing, project management, web design, graphic design, team management.

3. What is your time zone? - London

4. Is English your first language? If not, what language is? - Yes English is my first language and Gailge (Irish) is my second, which I would not class myself as any way fluent in.

Please contact me if you are interested.

Thx, Boa.

_graham_ · Post by **_graham_** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:58 pm

I want to help out with writing/editing/proof-reading with the Administrator Manual Team

Occasionally contributing towards writing, editing, and proof-reading (only when I have time - no commitment to the project)

Other Questions:
1. How many hours/week are you able to commit to?
5 hours.
2. Do you have any special skills and experience that may be of particular interest to the Doc Team?
I'm a good proof reader and have experience in writing clear, easy to understand documentation.
3. What is your time zone?
GMT.
4. Is English your first language? If not, what language is?
English is my first language.

Graham

BoardBoss · Post by **BoardBoss** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:04 am

Do you want to help out with writing/editing/proof-reading with the Administrator Manual Team? I would love to help out!

If yes, please let me know in what capacity.

1. Actively contributing on a regular basis towards writing, editing, and proof-reading (5 hours/week commitment)

2. Occasionally contributing towards writing, editing, and proof-reading (only when you have time - no commitment to the project)

Other Questions:
1. How many hours/week are you able to commit to?

Currently I can commit to at least 5 hours/week; likely several more.

2. Do you have any special skills and experience that may be of particular interest to the Doc Team?

I have written and/or contributed to the writing of several hundred technical documents for over 25 years. For the last 8 or so years I provided engineering support to hundreds of sales staff selling office automation equipment. I wouldn't say I'm a programmer, but I can hack into HTML/JavaScript/PHP when necessary to get things done. I am very good at figuring out complex logic issues with regards to translating the code to a user interface, then tweaking the backend code to analyze the input, and finally achieve a useable and meaningful output for the user. For those that know me, I like to say that I design something so even salespeople can understand it. I also specialize in usability studies. When it comes to applications, I like to say that if it can be broken, I will break it; and if it isn't broken I haven't used it.

3. What is your time zone?

GMT -6 (Atlanta, GA area) I am frequently available at odd hours.

4. Is English your first language? If not, what language is?

Yes. I only know a few words in Spanish, which I learned from an old girlfriend. Call it intuition, but I probably shouldn't use those in any application documentation.

Michelle Bisson · Post by **Michelle Bisson** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:29 am

Thank you for volunteering, _graham_ and BoardBoss! I will get back to you!

StephanS · Post by **StephanS** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:53 am

Hello there! I've already been in touch with Michelle & Richard, but for the record, I thought I'd introduce myself.

Do you want to help out with writing/editing/proof-reading with the Administrator Manual Team? Yes

If yes, please let me know in what capacity.

I'm a reasonably good proof-reader and don't mind editing or writing.

Other Questions:
1. How many hours/week are you able to commit to? 5+
2. Do you have any special skills and experience that may be of particular interest to the Doc Team? Writing, programming, systems administration. I've taught plenty of computer training classes and have prepared slides, product documentation, and user manuals before. I also have modest PHP skills and some graphic layout and design experience.
3. What is your time zone? EST-US
4. Is English your first language? Yes.

I look forward to lending a hand.
-Stephan

stenito · Post by **stenito** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 6:50 am

I would like to help out.

motivation: after evaluating many other CMS and Joomla!, I'm going to stick with this one

except for the documentation

1. Actively contributing on a regular basis towards writing, editing, and proof-reading (5 hours/week commitment)

no problem, can do more as required.

2. Occasionally contributing towards writing, editing, and proof-reading (only when you have time - no commitment to the project)

should be able to do that.

Other Questions:
1. How many hours/week are you able to commit to?

Hmmm, sometimes 10, sometimes 20 ...

2. Do you have any special skills and experience that may be of particular interest to the Doc Team?

CTO, CMO, COO in web based businesses, PHP, Mysql, Xhtml, CSS, ...
Written Audit docs on e-commerce websites.

3. What is your time zone?

GMT +1 Brussels

4. Is English your first language? If not, what language is?

Nope, Dutch is. Think I am able to write a doc in an 'end-user'-level English. Maybe with proof reading

Anyway, I really would like to help out.

Steven

qantixrob · Post by **qantixrob** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:00 pm

Hi

I'ld like to offer to help out. Pretty new to Joomla but experienced at this type of documentation and lots of experience of CMS / EDMS systems generally. Keen to contribute to the community in some way and this is probably the best way I can !

I would be occasionally contributing towards writing, editing, and proof-reading

Other Questions:
1. How many hours/week are you able to commit to? 2-3
2. Do you have any special skills and experience that may be of particular interest to the Doc Team? as above
3. What is your time zone? GMT
4. Is English your first language? Yes

Got to here by the comments in Chapter 10 of the Admin manual - Managing Users. I'ld love to work on helping to complete this section

Michelle Bisson · Post by **Michelle Bisson** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:46 am

Thank you those who have volunteered recently. I will contact you soon.

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