My work on the Getting Started Guide

David Michel dsmichel@yahoo.com wrote,

No, I did not get sucked into a black hole! I made changes, and the new file is:

0105GS34-SECONDDraftGettingStartedWithCalc DavidMichel.odt

I've taken a copy of the file and will look at it later today.
Meanwhile, here are answers to a few of your questions.

I went to: http://extensions.libreoffice.org/extension-center/template-changer

and downloaded the template changer without a problem;

However, at: https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Documentation/howto/install_extension

It said: "There is currently no text in this page."

So, nothing was done with the template.

Installing extensions is covered in several documents, including
http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/images/9/9d/Installing_extensions.odt

It's also briefly covered in producing-LibreOffice-userguides.odt,
which is available in the Resources > Drafts folder on Alfresco. That
document also describes many other things you need to know when
writing or revising user guide chapters.

I also recommend reading using_LibreOffice_template.odt, which
describes all the styles used in our user guides and what they should
be used for, and LibO-style-guide.odt for some tips on our preferred
writing style and terminology.

Regarding that empty wiki page: I assume you followed a link from
somewhere to get there. Do you recall where you got that link? We'll
need to fix it so it doesn't cause problems for other people.

I did a search for "->" to replace with only ">", but found none.

The items needing replacement are actual arrows, and you should see
them in all the menu paths given in the chapter. To find them by
searching, you'll need to copy one and paste it into the Find &
Replace dialog. When you do replace them, you need to ensure that all
the ">" are in the correct character style (OOoMenuPath).

More later.

--Jean

I've now looked at the file and will respond to the questions I
skipped in my last note.

David Michel dsmichel@yahoo.com wrote,> p18

Is my new text satisfactory?

Some comments:
1) We do not use the term "radio button". Often the term "option" is a
good choice, but in this case I would use "action" because the heading
above the two radio buttons is "Action".

2) With rare exceptions, we do not use the phrase "allows you to". In
this case a better wording would be "Select the Move action to..." In
other situations the phrase "Use the xxxx option to..." might work
best. The general principle is: use imperative voice (for example,
"Choose xxxx to do x") or an infinitive phrase such as "To do x,
choose xxxx."

3) Although the two sentences you flagged are a bit redundant, in
introductory material like this we've found that it's often best to
make statements that might seem obvious to us.

4) I am sure there are other ways to move sheets, at least in some
circumstances, not just using this dialog. For example, you can
click-and-drag a sheet tab. This section should mention those other
methods. (You may need to play around a bit to figure out what they
are.)

5) The first paragraph on page 17 under the heading needs to be amended.

6) Formatting tips: Do not insert blank paragraphs by pressing Enter.
Do not use two spaces after a full stop (period); use only one. Do not
leave blank spaces at the end of a paragraph. If you turn on
end-of-paragraph markers, you'll be able to see blank paras and spaces
at the ends of paras easily.

7) Do not put quotation marks around the names of options, buttons,
list boxes, or any other part of a dialog. Instead, use the
OOoMenuPath character style or (in some cases) the OOoEmphasis
character style, or (in some cases, such as the name of the dialog) no
special style. The style descriptions in the template instructions
should give a good idea of what style to use when. Unfortunately, many
of the chapters do not use the agreed-upon styles, so following the
examples of use in a chapter may lead you astray.

I am unclear where to put the section on data analysis.  I put it on page 36.

I think that's good. However, "Analyzing data" is a better title than
"Using data analysis". BTW, you have used "TextBody" instead of
"OOoTextBody" as the para style in that section.

What should I use as a model for formatting the individual items?

You could use either bullet points or a definition list (choosing the
appropriate para styles). In this case, I think a definition list
would be good.

I borrowed and edited text from the Guide for the text about formulas and functions.

OK.

"Global" was added to the email address.

You changed the visible address, but you failed to change the
hyperlink. (A common mistake.)

Screenshots:>> Figures 1-5 show slight differences between compared with version 3.4.
Is this worth changing?  The boxes and arrows are ingrained in the images.

The only difference I can see is an icon in Fig1 and an icon in Fig 5,
though I could be missing something. I may have the original .ODG
files from which these PNG images were created, or a bit of fiddling
in GIMP will fix the icons quickly. (I do this a lot, to avoid
recapturing and relabeling.)

Figure 6:  Version 3.4's box is gray, but the content is exactly the same.

Figure 8:  Same question as #6.

In fact, as I have been looking at the screenshots, the only issue seems to be gray versus the blue of version 3.4.

Whether items are gray or white usually depends on the operating
system and the desktop theme in use. The blue is NOT related to the
version of LibreOffice, but to your o/s.

BTW, the Figure 15 that you added appears to have been taken on
Windows XP. Please change the Windows desktop from the Blue theme to
the Silver theme, so any images you take will more closely match
others in the book. It's in Settings > Control Panel > Display >
Appearance tab; near the bottom is "Color scheme": choose Silver.

Although the above list of corrections may seem formidable, what you
have done is fairly typical for new contributors who haven't got used
to our writing and formatting style yet. I'll hand it back to you now
for another try.

--Jean

Jean,

Thanks for your comments.

The new file is:

0105GS34-THIRDDraftGettingStartedWithCalcDavidMichel

Here is an update of what I have done, and I hope I did not overlook something:

I forgot to mention a comment I made on page 8.  What do you think?

1) We do not use the term "radio button". Often the term "option" is a
good choice, but in this case I would use "action" because the heading
above the two radio buttons is "Action".

p.18: 
I replaced "radio button" with "action".

2) With rare exceptions, we do not use the phrase "allows you to". In
this case a better wording would be "Select the Move action to..." In
other situations the phrase "Use the xxxx option to..." might work
best. The general principle is: use imperative voice (for example,
"Choose xxxx to do x") or an infinitive phrase such as "To do x,
choose xxxx."

p.18: 
I removed the phrase "allows you to".  I found no other examples of this phrase.

4) I am sure there are other ways to move sheets, at least in some
circumstances, not just using this dialog. For example, you can
click-and-drag a sheet tab. This section should mention those other
methods. (You may need to play around a bit to figure out what they
are.)

The only method I found was drag and drop, and I wrote something brief.

5) The first paragraph on page 17 under the heading needs to be amended.

Do you mean the paragraph under "Inserting new sheets"?  What do you want me to change?

6) Formatting tips: Do not insert blank paragraphs by pressing Enter.
Do not use two spaces after a full stop (period); use only one. Do not
leave blank spaces at the end of a paragraph. If you turn on
end-of-paragraph markers, you'll be able to see blank paras and spaces
at the ends of paras easily.

The OOoTextBody style removed the spaces between the paragraphs.  I checked for a single space after the periods on both pages 18 and 36-37.

p.36 I used OOoTextBody for the text, and the Definition styles for the definitions, using the definitions on page 36 as a guide.

"Global" was added to the email address.

You changed the visible address, but you failed to change the
hyperlink. (A common mistake.)

I changed the email address.

BTW, the Figure 15 that you added appears to have been taken on
Windows XP. Please change the Windows desktop from the Blue theme to
the Silver theme, so any images you take will more closely match
others in the book. It's in Settings > Control Panel > Display >
Appearance tab; near the bottom is "Color scheme": choose Silver.

Figure 15 is now silver.

I did a search for "->" to replace with only ">", but found none.

The items needing replacement are actual arrows, and you should see
them in all the menu paths given in the chapter. To find them by
searching, you'll need to copy one and paste it into the Find &
Replace dialog. When you do replace them, you need to ensure that all
the ">" are in the correct character style (OOoMenuPath).

I copied an arrow, and did a find and replace with a ">" - but, all it did was give me an arrow and a ">", and I could not delete the arrow.  Also, is there a way of adding a style to this character at once for all of its 96 instances?

I went to: http://extensions.libreoffice.org/extension-center/template-changer
and downloaded the template changer without a problem;
However, at:  https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Documentation/howto/install_extension
It said: "There is currently no text in this page."
So, nothing was done with the template.

Regarding that empty wiki page: I assume you followed a link from
somewhere to get there. Do you recall where you got that link? We'll
need to fix it so it doesn't cause problems for other people.

I typed in the URL, not from a link.  The same error message appears.

Installing extensions is covered in several documents, including
http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/images/9/9d/Installing_extensions.odt

I could not continue after step 3.  The attached image shows that I did not have the files the instructions show.

Regarding the template changer, I had the same problem. It seems like some
files were missing and thus LO Extension Manager will not recognise it. But
It's easy to fix:

1- download the template changer (you already did)
2- Right-click on the file and select "rename file"
3- Leave the name as it is, but add ".zip" at the end.
4- Now LO Extension Manager will recognise the file so you can follow the
instructions as described here:
http://www.libreoffice.org/assets/Uploads/EN_Documents/Installingextensions.pdf

David,

I've checked out the file and will go through it soon. Thanks!

--Jean

The list does not allow attachments. Please either post the image
somewhere and send us the URL, or send it directly to me offlist.
--Jean

Thanks.  I will try this again soon.

Hi :slight_smile:
Perhaps upload it to Alfresco? The Nabble interface allows
attachments/uploads but it's probably a good idea to try to only use it for
smaller things since we already have Alfresco for larger items.
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

David,
I'm currently working on CalcGuide chapter 1 (Introduction), which somehow overlaps to the chapter you're working on (Getting Started with Calc). It was my mistake that didn't realise you were already working on that when I started.
Thus we both have been working on some overlapping topics such as moving sheets with drag-and-drop.
I found that several images were ok but for the OpenOffice logo, so I edited them or replaced them. If you need to make further changed in your chapter you may make of some of them. You can download draft form Alfresco (Documentation > Calc Guide > Drafts > 0301CG34-IntroducingCalc.odt), or if you prefer I can send you a zip file with all the pics offlist (can't attach files to the list).
Please let me know if there is anything else I could do so we join efforts.

Gabriel

Hi Tom,

It is in the Repository:

Peter has been putting zip files of replacement images on Alfresco.
Why not do the same?

-- Jean

Hi :slight_smile:
Ahh, having pictures held on Alfresco would be fantastic!  I think it show pictures as thumbnails on some systems so it would make it much easier to quickly check which pictures look inconsistent (or wrong if that ever happens now that rebranding is pretty much over).  A management overview.

You guys are doing great stuff.
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

Great idea!
I have uploaded a zip file with the replacement screen-shots for Calc Chapter 1.
- Documentation > Calc Guide > Drafts > Screenshots Calc Chp1.zip

Perhaps it would be a good idea to create a special place for images so they are not mixed up with the draft documents. It could be a sub-folder inside Drafts, or possible within Resources. Just an idea.

Tom, this is a zip file, so I'm afraid there will be no thumbnails until you download and unpack it. :slight_smile:

I've been thinking much the same thing, but haven't got around to
doing anything about it, partly because I hadn't decided where I think
the best location might be. Perhaps the subfolder should be directly
under the book, not under Drafts? I don't know; I could make a case
for either of your suggestions, or mine. Well... stuff can be moved
(though probably only by an admin) if we change our minds.

If you can create sub-folders, please feel free to do whatever seems
best. (I'm not sure what permissions most people have, so that may or
may not work.)

--Jean

Alfresco folders structure seems to be designed to reflect the three main
stages in producing a book, that is, drafting, proofing, and publishing.
Adding a "Figures" folder right under the book may break that logic.
Somehow, it may create confusion as whether the pictures were taken from the
published docs or the drafts.
I think that screen-shots belong within the Drafts folder because the are
part of that process. Pictures will be there to be used, modified, updated,
or even erased. Besides, whenever we go to drafts to fetch a chapter, we
will see the new folder on top of the list, as a reminder that we can use
it.

I've already created a sub-folder under Calc Guide > Drafts and moved the
screen-shots there. Have a look, if you like it, I can go ahead and create
folders for all the books. But I won't be able to move Peter's screen-shots,
though. Only an Admin or Peter himself can do it.

I'm happy with your choice. Please continue! --Jean

Hi :slight_smile:
Oh, i had assumed that the pictures would be in the same folder as the document they were in and would be copied/moved to the 'new' folder (Drafts, Published, whatever folder) when the document got moved.

Gathering them into a centralised folder saves a lot of hassle and potential for confusion.  Good move!
Thanks and regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

David, comments are interleaved in your note below, in addition to these.

I have edited the file and replaced it in Drafts on Alfresco, so you
can see what I've done.

I also produced a clean copy incorporating all the changes and placed
it into Proofing so Gabriel or Hazel (or anyone) can have a crack at
it.

BTW, when I was playing around with moving and copying sheets, I
discovered two things that are not new but were never written up in
any earlier version of the Calc Guide, as far as I can tell:
(1) As well as moving a sheet within a spreadsheet using drag-and
drop, you can also copy a sheet by holding down the Control key while
dragging. I added some info about this.
(2) The Move/Copy dialog isn't new; it's just been redesigned, and
that brought it to my attention on the features list.

Gabriel, when you've done some more chapters of the Calc Guide, you
may have some new screenshots to replace the Windows ones. If so, and
if those screenshots are also used in this Getting Started chapter,
you or David should revisit this chapter and replace the screenshots
here.

The new file is:

0105GS34-THIRDDraftGettingStartedWithCalcDavidMichel

Here is an update of what I have done, and I hope I did not overlook something:

I forgot to mention a comment I made on page 8.  What do you think?

Good idea. I copied the picture that Gariel had produced for the Calc Guide.

p.18:
I removed the phrase "allows you to".  I found no other examples of this phrase.

I found at least one instance of "allows the user to" and edited it out.

5) The first paragraph on page 17 under the heading needs to be amended.

Do you mean the paragraph under "Inserting new sheets"?  What do you want me to change?

No, I meant the paragraph under the main heading "Working with
sheets", which now includes copying and moving.

p.36 I used OOoTextBody for the text, and the Definition styles for the definitions, using the definitions on page 36 as a guide.

The Definition lists use two styles: "OOoDefinition Term" for the
bolded first line (a paragraph on its own) of each item, and
"OOoDefinition" for the following paragraph.

The items needing replacement are actual arrows, and you should see
them in all the menu paths given in the chapter. To find them by
searching, you'll need to copy one and paste it into the Find &
Replace dialog. When you do replace them, you need to ensure that all
the ">" are in the correct character style (OOoMenuPath).

I copied an arrow, and did a find and replace with a ">" - but, all it did was give me an arrow and a ">", and I could not delete the arrow.

Most of the arrows were replaced as one would expect, though a few
were not (I've now fixed them). I don't know why you couldn't delete
the arrow in a few instances.

Also, is there a way of adding a style to this character at once for all of its 96 instances?

AFAIK, you cannot apply a character style using Find and Replace. One
can record a macro to do the job, but otherwise it's a manual
operation.

I went to: http://extensions.libreoffice.org/extension-center/template-changer
and downloaded the template changer without a problem;
However, at:  https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Documentation/howto/install_extension
It said: "There is currently no text in this page."
So, nothing was done with the template.

Regarding that empty wiki page: I assume you followed a link from
somewhere to get there. Do you recall where you got that link? We'll
need to fix it so it doesn't cause problems for other people.

I typed in the URL, not from a link.  The same error message appears.

I guess my question wasn't clear. Where did you find that URL? Was it
on the website, on the wiki, in one of our documents (if so, which
one), or somewhere else?

--Jean

I have downloaded this and will have a look at it.