Re: Ariane5 FAQ, 3rd draft

[aek@vib.usr.pu.ru (Alexander Kopilovitch)]

Warren W. Gay wrote:

> > Wojtek Narczynski wrote:
> >
> > > > A. There are several points which are different
> > > > for Ariane 5 vs. Ariane 4, (...)
> > > > ...
> > >The no.1
> > >question would be "Why did it crash?". Would you consider putting it
> > >as the first one? The rest just fill in the details, or - depict the
> > >climate.
>
> I think the suggestion is a good one, myself. This FAQ is likely to
> grow, as this thread repeats itself (and frequently).  Most people read
> as far as they need to get to the answer they need (or disagree with).
>
> State the conclusion up front. If people agree and don't care about the
> details, then they don't need to read further. If they violently disagree,
> or not yet sure, or just want to know more, then they know up front
> that they need to read more.

Well, I understand these reasons.

> I don't think it is much a burden to move the section to the start
> is it? Perhaps in the next editorial round? ;-)

Unfortunately, I do not see this that simple. That move definitely breaks the
"unfolding" logic of the FAQ in its current state (I tried and saw that).
Actually I think that the reasons you stated are part of entirely another
approach to the FAQ, which is certainly no less possible and no less good --
it is just optimized another way, for another usage mode. Essentially the same
information, but another order and correspondily, another "unfolding logic".
I'd like to call these two versions of the FAQ as "Observer's" (current)
and "Professional" -:)  If this FAQ eventually will be placed on some WWW site
then it is possible indeed to have both versions there... guite gorgeous -;)
In fact, some important information is much easier to include in that
"Professional" version (I still can't find a suitable place for it in current
version). Perhaps, the "Professional" version will take over at the end, but
for now I can rely on "Observer's" approach only, all others are secondary
for me. (But certainly. those people for whom that "Professional" approach is
natural, may propose their own full designs of the FAQ.)



Alexander Kopilovitch                      aek@vib.usr.pu.ru
Saint-Petersburg
Russia