* dmd.texi (Introduction): Rewrite for style and clarity.
---
dmd.texi | 52 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------------------------
1 file changed, 28 insertions(+), 24 deletions(-)
diff --git a/dmd.texi b/dmd.texi
index 841ce7c..4e06e93 100644
--- a/dmd.texi
+++ b/dmd.texi
@@ -78,24 +78,28 @@ the GNU system.
@cindex service manager
This manual documents the @dfn{dmd} service manager. It is used to
-start and stop system services (typically daemons). It ensures that
-this will work---by automatically starting services that are needed for
-another service to run and avoiding that conflicting services are
-started at the same time. It does so in a very flexible way. dmd is
-the @dfn{init system} on the GNU system---the first user process that is
-started when the system boots, typically with PID 1, running as
-@code{root}, and taking care of system-wide services. It is also a
-useful tool that assists unprivileged users in the management of their
-own daemons.
-
-As with all flexible software, it takes some work to learn how to use
-it. To make it as easy as possible for you, this manual contains a
-chapter that enables you to start using dmd without reading about all
-the details first @ref{Jump Start}. The second chapter @ref{deco and
-dmd} describes the programs in detail. The other chapters provide a
-reference with examples, where all possibilities that dmd provides are
-explained. An exception is the last chapter, which contains
-information for those brave enough to modify dmd itself.
+start and stop system services (typically daemons) in a reliable
+fashion---by automatically starting prerequisites (``required
+services'') and by preventing conflicting services from being started.
+dmd is designed to be flexible when choosing what services to start
+and stop.
+
+dmd is the @dfn{init system} of the GNU operating system---it is the
+first user process that gets started, typically with PID 1, and runs
+as @code{root}. Normally the purpose of init systems is to manage all
+system-wide services, but dmd can also be a useful tool assisting
+unprivileged users in the management of their own daemons.
+
+Unfortunately all flexible software requires some time to master and
+dmd is no different. But don't worry: this manual should allow you to
+get started quickly. Its first chapter is designed as a practical
+introduction to dmd and should be all you need for everyday use
+(@ref{Jump Start}). In chapter two (@ref{deco and dmd}) we will
+describe the deco and dmd programs, and their relationship, in more
+detail. The chapters following chapter 2 provide a full reference
+manual and plenty of examples, covering all of dmd's capabilities.
+Finally, the last chapter provides information for those souls brave
+enough to hack dmd itself.
The name dmd stands for @dfn{Daemon Managing Daemons} (or
@dfn{Daemons-Managing Daemon}?).
@@ -105,12 +109,12 @@ The name dmd stands for @dfn{Daemon Managing Daemons} (or
@cindex GOOPS
This program is written in @dfn{Guile}, an implementation of the
Scheme programming language, using the @dfn{GOOPS} extension for
-object-orientation, therefore Guile is also used as the language for
-the configuration (@pxref{Top,,, guile, GNU Guile Reference Manual}).
-When you want to make use of advanced features of
-dmd, you should know how to work with Guile and GOOPS, but it has been
-tried to make using basic features of dmd possible without knowing how
-to program in Scheme at all.
+object-orientation. Guile is also dmd's configuration language
+(@pxref{Top,,, guile, GNU Guile Reference Manual}). We have tried to
+make dmd's basic features as accessible as possible---you should be
+able to use these even if you do not know how to program in Scheme. A
+basic grasp of Guile and GOOPS is required only if you wish to make
+use of dmd's more advanced features.
@c @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
--
1.7.9.5
