[Coco] DW4 on MAc & Linux

[Bill Pierce]

Aaron... If you're going to refer people to the Wiki, then please correct it. The ONLY reference to actually starting DW4 in the Wiki simply states to "click GO" (I looked extensively before asking on the list).
The Wiki's references are all to "DriveWire 1.4 BETA". I think we're beyond that now. Most of the concepts there have been removed or changed in the current installation. The picture examples are from a bygone era in DW4 history...
And if I were to go to the Wiki, not noticing the small inconspicuous "readme'txt" included in the dw4 folder, there is no mention of this document in the Wiki. Why not post this document as the 1st page of the Wiki?

If a new user with no experience in using DW4 were to go to the Wiki and follwed instructions from the first page on installation (chapt 4), after the first couple of paragraphs, they would still be sitting there 2 days later going "HUH?"

I know you hate doing documentation, but at least do a simple page at the BEGINNING of the Wiki that gives simple instruction to the CURRENT version of DW4 as to how to start the program. It wouldn't take but a couple of paragraphs.... come on Aaron... We know you can do it.... :-P

Most people have no need to know how it works or the concepts behind it.... just how to start it and how to use it. The first 2 sections in the Wiki are useless and do not apply in any way to the use of dw4. The 3rd is the cable... referring to links that are not listed. The 4th is the installation guide (a little dated), the 5th is the configuration.... but wait! How do you configure something you haven't started?...  The rest gets further and further into details in use and theory of operation, most of which no longer apply to the current dw4 installation. 

BTW, have you ever considered an auto installation package? It could make things a little easier on the new user end. I did a little searching and did find a free cross-platform package that looks like it may serve DW4 well. It's called "IzPack". You would know more what was needed of course. Here's a link if your interested:

http://izpack.org/

Having updated my dw4 folder from the beta "jar" files you sent me for testing when the "updater" was first being introduced, I never used the newer installation package, therefore there was no "readme.txt" in my folder. My dw4 system was upgraded using the web updater. I had to actually open the zip file and find it :-)


Bill Pierce
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