Design issues

Kinds of diagram, flow of paragraphs, pull outs, screenshot parameters, etc.

Discuss

I'd really like to see if we have someone in our midst who has experience with layout and who could set a strong standard for presentation.

Any volunteers for this role? Especially with experience in magazine/book layout?

Bob

Note to self: include "Did you know?" pull outs suggested by member O.

Bob

I'd like to include troubleshooting on a per chapter basis (rather than at the end of the book as an appendix) as I think it helps people find answers more quickly.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Bob

BobS said

I'd like to include troubleshooting on a per chapter basis (rather than at the end of the book as an appendix) as I think it helps people find answers more quickly.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Per chapter troubleshooting is probably best in terms of teaching. They learn how to do something and then about possible issues thus forming a connection between the two.

However, a troubleshooting appendix is probably what most people expect so maybe that could be more of an index.

per chapter trouble shooting that is indexed is great

I was mulling over an idea I'd like to share:

What about instead of one book or definitive guide how about a series of small books on one particular topic of ocPortal.

This might have the additional benefit of making a more flexible and possibly enticing pricing structure. Meaning we could have some books free (ideal for basic topics like installation and less advanced topics) and then some are a small fee (like Advanced theming, or Extreme Catalogue design?)

Another benefit to this is as we work on each small book we can hone our skills to making each next one even better as well the projects can be smaller to start and less elaborate thereby encouraging a quicker turn around.

Per chapter troubleshooting guides with a troubleshooting index in an appendix sounds like a great idea to me.

Bob

Duck said

What about instead of one book or definitive guide how about a series of small books on one particular topic of ocPortal.

While that is a good idea in theory, I think it falls into the category of 'Lets not get too ahead of ourselves.'

There is nothing stopping more books down the track, but the first one should be enough to allow anyone to create an effective site.

Duck said

I was mulling over an idea I'd like to share:

What about instead of one book or definitive guide how about a series of small books on one particular topic of ocPortal.

This might have the additional benefit of making a more flexible and possibly enticing pricing structure. Meaning we could have some books free (ideal for basic topics like installation and less advanced topics) and then some are a small fee (like Advanced theming, or Extreme Catalogue design?)

Another benefit to this is as we work on each small book we can hone our skills to making each next one even better as well the projects can be smaller to start and less elaborate thereby encouraging a quicker turn around.

This is an interesting idea but I think that a single comprehensive book is most likely the way to go initially. There is the cost of an ISBN number to be considered although I think they are sold in blocks so perhaps not a huge issue.

I do like the idea of creating really advanced books relating to a few special issues (advanced theming, advanced Tempcode) but I think our initial effort should be a single book which helps the"everyman" set up an ocPortal site.

Bob

Still looking for someone to take the lead on design issues for the book. We just need someone who can dummy up a layout and provide specifications (font, font size, illustration and pullout sizes, etc).

Do we have any volunteers who can assist with this effort?

Bob

Normally the font is a 11 points for normal text. Font type mostly used Times or Courier
Font for illustration descriptions is 9 points light type

Illustrations can be all formats depended on the chapter and text It could be page width.

I think you need find a handy format for the book. Like "C Format" (trade paperbacks) are 135mm x 216mm (5.32" x 8.51"). It gives a idea what where to have to look for

Thanks for the input, Harry. Very helpful, as usual.

Bob

No problem

BobS said

Thanks for the input, Harry. Very helpful, as usual.

Bob

And Harry said (in another thread) he was too busy help out with the book.  

Help can be anything from small bits of information, like Harry gave, to writing a chapter, to being an editor or anything in between.  

Lol guys…. I help in the spare time I have. I work every day from 9 am to 10 pm with youth.    And trye to get sleep in between     

I believe everyone has a shortage of time Harry so don't worry. However, I would like to let you know that you need not let your fluency (or rather lack of, as you put it) with english be a reason not to write a chapter if you can find the time. Your're knowledge of ocPortal (especially with galleries) is invaluable and I think you can explain most of it clear enough that someone like myself can clean up the english for you when your done. You're sharing of the knowledge is what is most important.

Thanks Duck, I will try to write something about to setup different ways of gallery possibilitys.