[Coco] DW4 on MAc & Linux

Thu Sep 26 10:38:21 EDT 2013

Aaron, 
Maybe I worded it wrong about the installation page. I think the real problem is TOO MUCH information. There is a lot of discussion of the RTX libraries but it's stated that they are include in Windows and Mac.
This info is really only useful to Linux and "other" users so put all that in the sections for those machines as to not confuse the user from the start. This is really programmer's jargon and 9 out of 10 Windows and Mac users will have no clue as to what the RTX libraries are (I don't). Windows and Mac users are (for the most part) point and click oriented and usually never encounter "extras" that are needed for software.
Those who setup and use Linux are used to these kinds of instructions as they go through it on a regular basis when just adding software to their system.

It seems to me that a lot of the instruction borders on the "technical" side of things. It needs more of a "KISS" attitude. This should apply to the whole Wiki. Leave the specs and details to the "Specification" Wiki.
If I were to write the Wiki from scratch right now. I would start with either the installation or the cable page. Actually, the cable would belong inside the installation page... with a cable pinout pic and pin-to-pin list.
Of course,the real start page would be a "This is DriveWire" type page without technical details on how it works. Just explain what Drivewire does, not how it does it. A simple "DriveWire is used for accessing disk images made for the emulators etc, etc", then go to installation etc. A good TOC would be:

DriveWire Description (simple, to the point)
Installation (include download links)
Starting DriveWire
Configuring DriveWire (include the "Updating DriveWire" here)
Connecting the Coco to DriveWire and Getting Started
Using Virtual Disks and Virtual Hard Drives
Using DW with HDBDOS
Using DW with NitrOS-9
Using DW with the Becker Port (no "specs" put them in the Specification wiki)
Using DW and Networks

Fine Tuning DW for Your System (more memory, multi instance etc)
Building DW from Source
DW Specification
Getting Help with DW

But the main thing is keep it simple. Save the tech data for the Spec sheet.

Bill Pierce
My Music from the Tandy/Radio Shack Color Computer 2 & 3

https://sites.google.com/site/dabarnstudio/
Co-Webmaster of The TRS-80 Color Computer Archive
http://www.colorcomputerarchive.com/
Co-Contributor, Co-Editor for CocoPedia
http://www.cocopedia.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
E-Mail: ooogalapasooo at aol.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Aaron Wolfe <aawolfe at gmail.com>
To: CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts <coco at maltedmedia.com>
Sent: Thu, Sep 26, 2013 9:31 am
Subject: Re: [Coco] DW4 on MAc & Linux

After review, I'm not sure what is confusing or inaccurate about the
Installation section (
https://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/drivewireserver/index.php?title=Installation
)

Some specific insight would be helpful.

I have removed the antiquated "DW GUI" section and added the
readme.txt contents in the "using drivewire" section.

On Thu, Sep 26, 2013 at 9:18 AM, Bill Pierce <ooogalapasooo at aol.com> wrote:
>
> 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
> My Music from the Tandy/Radio Shack Color Computer 2 & 3
> https://sites.google.com/site/dabarnstudio/
> Co-Webmaster of The TRS-80 Color Computer Archive
> http://www.colorcomputerarchive.com/
> Co-Contributor, Co-Editor for CocoPedia
> http://www.cocopedia.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
> E-Mail: ooogalapasooo at aol.com
>
>
>
>
> --
> Coco mailing list
> Coco at maltedmedia.com
> http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/coco

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