Re: [linux-audio-user] Linux DAW FX box how to for noobs...New Link...

Hi Russell, Writing useful documentation is very difficult. The only reason that I'll offer any feedback is because I appreciate the difficulty of the task and sympathize with the feelings that you will experience. I'd love to see you churn out a useful document. In a past life, I studied a couple writing styles and reader tendencies. I might be typical of the average reader but it's possible I'm even less tolerant. Here's a few thoughts that have been helpful in my efforts to produce useful documentation. 1. If I write it in six words, they'll remember six. If 12 words, they'll remember six. If 18 words, they won't remember anything. 2. Provide answers, not questions! There should not be one single question in the entire document. No exception! 3. Leave the humor to that dumbass Jay Leno. 4. Opinions must be supported with facts. Style A format I believe is appropriate for this type of document is Associated Press Style. Tell the entire story in one very short introductory paragraph. Then elaborate on each point within a new paragraph, sub-section, chapter or whatever is required. The format for presenting information is referred to as an "inverted pyramid." The title for the document can be drawn from the first paragraph. Your title: "Linux DAW fx box How to for Rookies" Having read the title, I expect to find the information needed to build a Linux effects box. You have to assume the acronym DAW is unknown and will cause readers to immediately wonder what you are talking about. The same rule applies to "fx." Here's my rewrite of your title. Building Affordable Linux based Digital Audio Workstations Let's examine your first paragraph: So you dable with audio? This is assumed and it's a question. Remove it! You play an instrument(s) and have a tight budget but seem to have plenty of seemingly obsolete PC's laying around and even one decent enough to read this article somewhere out on the Internet? Not interested in spending the big bux on buying proprietary programs that are copyright protected, need a 'puter the size of HAL to run well and midrange to expensive sound cards to boot?? Read on...this might just be a solution for YOU! Having read the title, I expect a related introductory paragraph but it doesn't exist. If you don't fulfill the expectation of the title within the first paragraph, I'll never read the document. You jump into an unrelated topic about cheap computers and imply that they can be used as digital audio workstations. Here's a rough rewrite for the introductory paragraph, based on the rewritten title: If you need to build an affordable Digital Audio Workstation then a Linux based solution is a worthwhile consideration. There are customized versions of Red Hat, Debian, Slackware and several other linux based operating systems that specialize in including any number of the hundreds of audio, midi, sythesis and analysis applications that exist. A community of 871 Linux audio users and 781 Linux audio developers[1] subscribe to public mailing lists. Subsequent Paragraph 1 This paragraph is about Alsa. It could include one sentance about the 2.4 kernel status and one sentance for the 2.6 kernel status. A comprehensive list of supported audio cards and relative information is located at http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc/index.php?vendor=All#matrix Subsequent Paragraph 2 This paragraph is pointers to Planet CCRMA, Demudi, etc. Subsequent Paragraph 3 This paragraph is about the Linux Audio community. How many people. Who uses linux audio solutions. Include specific examples and links to their websites. Prospective users need facts and examples. NOTES: 1. Statistics for subscribers to Linux audio mailing lists http://www.linuxdj.com/audio/lad/subscribe.php3 The rest of the document can explore the details of your personal endeavor; installation, use, etc. Another point that you should be aware of. Paul Davis the author of Ardour has requested that nobody write user or developer documentation for Ardour. His request is a little frustrating for many people but everyone has honored his plea. You need to be very aware of this issue prior to designing your document. Russel, I admire your willingness to post your work and to request feedback. It's fuckin' awesome that you have the integrity to do this. The feedback I provided might be total crap but what matters is that you've created an opportunity for someone to strike the right cord with you. I appreciate that. Don't stop! OK, one last random thought. Ernest Hemingway is considered by many to be a great American writer. He had an editor and as a rule none of his first draft material went to press. The same applies to music. Without exception, every composition written by the members of this mailing list can be improved upon by anyone of us. Nobody I know produces great results without alot of help. You happen to be the poor grunt that has taken on the most important and demanding task of producing something useful. I hope you find something in my feedback that is useful. I gotta go study the drums and shutup--already. ron

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