Conference tnpubs::ipa_registry

11.0. "documenting packages of products" by FORTY2::BILLINGTON () Thu Apr 01 1993 08:38

From:	TNPUBS::GOVONI "DTN 226-7222 - For Duty and Humanity!  26-Jan-1993 1105" 26-JAN-1993 11:06:40.48
To:	GILLHAM
CC:	JOHN,GOVONI
Subj:	Proposal for IPA informal task force

Hi Bruce

I would to start an informal task force to look at the problem of documenting 
a package of products.

It is similar to NAS in that a number of products are sold as a package.
However, I believe that there is a problem when the customer receives a 
complex product, such as DECnet or DECmcc, along with other, related products
and does not know where to begin.  Each product is documented, yet the task 
of making these products work together in order to perform real-world tasks
is left for the user to determine.

Specifically, I have noted a problem with customers using the DECmcc family 
of products to perform system and network management tasks.  I realized 
that the problem was not unique to DECmcc when I bought a DECstation, 
printer, modem, and software from DEC.  Everything was documented 
individually, yet I had no documentation to tell me that the system was
preconfigured or how to put the pieces together so that they work efficiently.
In this case, a single sheet of instructions would have sufficed.

I plan to research the problem in the DECmcc space over the next 8-12 months, 
then share the results with IPA.  In addition, I plan to document how to 
recognize the problem and the process of selling the solution.  I will be 
glad to give status upon request.

In addition, I will be happy to work with anyone else who is interested in 
researching this subject.

bob