Re: Ada Reference Manual 2012 in info format

[Oliver Kleinke <oliver.kleinke@c-01a.de>]

Am Thu, 3 May 2012 18:25:53 -0500
schrieb "Randy Brukardt" <randy@rrsoftware.com>:

> If you do spend time making an alternative version of the Standard, I 
> strongly recommend that you do so by modifying the ARM_Formatter
> tool. That way, you can convert future versions of the Standard to
> your format easily (if it is a by-hand conversion, it will become
> obsolete far quicker than you realize and then you'll either have to
> do it all again or forget it). And that would also allow the
> alternate version to be used on the Rationale and other standards
> documents, if that is appropriate someday. (That's what Stephen Leake
> did with the "info" version.)
> 
>                                               Randy.

Hello Randy,

you have to realize that design and looks do have a function beyond
fancy, usability for example. I think you derailed the conversation for
your own purpose of defending the RM from change. "malware-laden ads",
"run god-knows-what on your computer", "Start Menu in Windows 8" --
these are cheesy strawman arguments and it sounds like you are accusing
Jerrid that this is what he has in mind.

I am writing an XML extension to the formatter. It's not finished yet
but does already look promising. Why XML? Because it's easily
transformable into nearly every other format (Original Source format,
plain-text, HTML, PDF, DocBook, DITA, info, SQL inserts, you name it..)
using XSL (I'm talking XSLT + XSL-FO). A major problem of the
formatter/RM sources is that they only provide partial semantic
information about the contents, that IS 1995-style. Honestly, you should
consider converting the sources to a more appropriate format. Also, the
way the Formatter sources are provided sucks major -- cvsweb, you have
to click around a lot until you have a complete set of files plus some
of the HEAD versions have been broken.

Providing a modern HTML version does not exclude the possibility to
provide a more 'compatible' version, so don't be so obstinate. :-)

Cheers,
Oliver