On Fri, Jan 22, 1999 at 11:32:05AM +0200, Martin Vermeer wrote:
> > >>>>> "Martin" == Martin Vermeer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> >
> Anyway, I am rather lost now. So how to continue?
>
> 1. Which text to use as basis for further work. Mine, or Larry's?
Yours. Larry's can go into an article and/or the World Domination release
(see my previous email)
That said, I really like his Section description, if there's any way you
could include that. I think it's even better than the spaces thing, because
when I read the spaces thing, I get an impression of LyX *not letting you*
do things. Even if that's true, I think people who have no idea what LyX is
will feel that they're being forced to do it. So at the least I would change
the language.
> While LyX presents the user with the familiar face of a WYSIWYG word
> processor, new users may be taken aback when LyX refuses to do certain
> things, like entering two successive blanks or inserting an empty line.
> LyX doesn't because it knows YOU shouldn't.
Why not just something like:
In LyX, you don't type two spaces after a sentence or an empty line after a
section heading; LyX puts extra spacing in by itself
Or at least replace the last sentence with "You don't *have* to put in those
spaces, because LyX does it for you." (Makes LyX sound friendly and helpful,
instead of domineering.)
Or just put in Larry's Section description (see also John's section
description in chapter one of the tutorial.)
The rest of the paragraph is nice, though.
> 2. Document processor. Yes/no?
I see both sides here. I kind of feel like if you are going to use the word,
you ought to say "We call it a *document* processor because it looks at the
whole document, not just a series of *words*." Except that you can think of
a better way to say that. And I don't know which paragraph you'd put that
in. Maybe in the WYSIWYM paragraph, tho that's already long.
> 3. Mention Linux and Open Source. (LyX AND LaTeX) Yes. (But remember,
> LyX is not ONLY for Linux).
As I said in my last e-mail, I don't think we even want to be in the
mainstream press right now. Give LyX some time to grow. And I think open
source is becoming a bit over-hyped too. Yes, definitely say open source at
least once, but don't try to make it the (or even a) main selling point. The
main selling point should be that LyX is a good program.
> 4. Comparison with Word and WP -- hesitant.
Alejandro's got a good point. If you want to write a whole article which
compares many of their features, fine. I don't think the press release needs
it.
> 5. "No familiarity" disclaimer. OK. How then?
I think the problem is just with the language "unless you want to do
advanced things" which implies that otherwise you can only do really simple
things. Why not just:
----
Using LyX requires no familiarity with LaTeX. However, if you're a LaTeX
user, know that LyX offers full LaTeX transparency, can support almost any
LaTeX documentclass or package [which is true as long as you're in TeX mode
the whole time], and will import and export well-formed LaTeX documents.
----
This (short) paragraph then does two things: reassures the LaTeX-ignorant that
they're safe; and tells the LaTeX-aware that they don't have to feel all
their latex knowledge is wasted.
> 6. HELP!
"Be careful what you wish for" (Into the Woods)
Finally some more minor points.
- I would get rid of the second sentence. You say the same thing in the
third sentence, and what's drudge?
- It's great that you include movie scripts as an example, but don't include
it twice (first and third paragraph).
- I would get rid of the "freedom is based in law" sentence. A PR is no
place for philosophy :) Anyway, I know you're arguing that we need to
mention LyX's shortcomings, but I really don't like painting LyX as
"restrict"ive. Again, we need to be honest, but I think certain things will
turn people off so much they won't realize that restriction is good.
Keep up the good work!
-Amir
