I was wondering, some people have made up various guides and instuctions for the PortableApps Menu, as well, there is information on the site.
I was wondering, has is been considered to make a guide for like HTML/PDF that people and download and read, instead of reading the support pages, or not noticing them at all, you could post a guide on the front page maybe or, in the Applications page. I know it might be a lot of work to make, but it would be handy in the long run. And I'm sure some people have already got some simple instructions on it. This would help the forums too, if it was PDF, people could skip to the section they want, and find the answer to there questions, insead of posting in the forums as often. I'm not sure if is interested in this, but I think it would be a good idea.
I already searched the forums, to see if anything has been considered like this, and couldn't find anything.
I made up a template for the paper, you can download it here.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q9AZ2BPY
You could add in the text, and then convert it to PDF, it could be like linux, where they have various guides, or we could make just one answering all questions. I know this may sound pointless to some, but others may notice how many questions are repeated in the forums, if there was a simple PDF guide download, I'm sure many people would scan throught it first.
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suggestion. However, i'd say that many people don't find these forums that easy to find info on as there are so many headings to look under. On a car forum i belong to - i forget where i've posted messages.
I'd like to add that it would be worth having a downloadable pdf manual/guide each quarter and include site news as well.
Who's going to do the hard work? Several people and i'm volunteer#1. Moderators please give it some thought and get back in touch.
I'd definitially like to be involved to, whatever I can do. Just small things like installing an app, or writing up about certain apps.
The problem is that most people won't read anything... at all... ever... no matter how prominent it is. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's just the way it is. On every single app page there's a link to popular topics including install, upgrade, uninstall, etc. And there's a FAQ in some of the forums (more on the way) for additional questions. But we still have people asking how to install Firefox. Or upgrade it.
Essentially, it should shape your design of the system. So, the installer should be easier to use without any manual reading. The apps should be easier to use without any manual reading. That's why I'm working on a new Suite/Platform installer and a new app installer that are NSIS-based.
The bottom line is that it doesn't matter how solid your manual is or how prominently you promote it, a good portion of people will never read it and will ask questions anyway. It's just a fact of tech life.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
I kinda figured that.
But still, if anyone's interested, it would be handy to have, for those that are willing to read it. And then portableapps.com would have it's own manual.
Don't ave to be connected o the internet.
Keep it on your drive for any problems.
Send it to a friend.
Etc.
I've had at least 10 people ask me how to install Lilina 0.7 and it's written right in the README and the INSTALL files.
Of course, you can always make them read it *muhahaha*
----
Ryan McCue
Cube Games
There are only two states in Australia: Queensland and Drunk
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
Sounds evil.
Actually, it sounds fair to me.
Vintage!
in agreement with what you've said John. But some people like to read an electronic format [like me on OpenOffice this last couple of days]. I do try and read before i ask questions so i can develop some knowledge. A little often in the secret to developing in the right direction.
3 months ago i knew nothing about websites but i'm learning quite a bit day by day hour at a time or so.
I was thinking that a manual with all the contributions would just put beginner FAQs in one place. When people ask questions like installing FireFox they upset others who then don't contribute answers to more specific questions.[Like one or two of mine recently!!].
Many hands make light work - 2 so far!
I figure, it would be handy to keep on your portable drive when you're travelling, and you're not connected to the internet, or just want easy access to a quick answer, open up your manual, and click on the part of the manual that seems like it will answer your question. For example, right now, with the current beta release, questions are repeated and repeated about theming, I myself have asked some questions, cause I think the only place the answers are, is in the forums. So, with a PDF manual, part of it could have information on the three different parts of the theme, what the differnt parts are, the programs that can be used to edit and create themes. The file format they are saved in, and of course, the area where they are saved and can be found. This would be much easier then continuously searching back and forth on pages in the forums, spending hours of your life to get a couple of questions answered, when EVERYTHING you need to know about PortableApps.com, installing apps, theming, bugs and fixes, and languages are all right in ONE place with you TO GO. Agreed?
I know there is alot of information on the site, and John and others have done a good job writing up info on web pages, but like I said, have this PDF manual TO GO, with easier reading...I know some people may not be interested, but for those who are, all it takes it taking some info from this site, and writing up some of out own, and just a few little updating tweaks here and there. Anybody else in?
We could even include short portions on info about the Apps and some bugs they contain, or not even bugs, just drawbacks kinda. For example:
Why won't Sumatra PDF zoom properly? Better go make a post in the forums. Wait, I'll check my manual! *opens manual*
About the Menu
How to install apps.
Installing other apps.
Themeing
Applications
-7-Zip Portable
-..............
-..............
-..............
-..............
-Sumatra PDF Portable
Oh, and lets not forget the eject button. Put info on that in there too.
Nearly all of that is far better served in a FAQ. For Sumatra, for instance, we create a FAQ and sticky it in the Sumatra Portable forum. Then place a link to said FAQ on the Sumatra main page the way it is wirh Firefox Portable.
I can guarantee you that having a monolithic manual will not eliminate any forum posts at all. But having properly placed FAQs, stickied in each forum and linked from each app's main and support page will help a bit. Even with that, people will still ask it over and over.
Remember, ~100% of people that ask a question that's already been answered will NOT read a manual.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
I guess that's true.
I'll start adding em. Check out the support page which links directly to the FF one.
https://portableapps.com/support
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
That's handy. Nice, I was wondering a while back if it was ok to let Firefox update itself, thanks.