ubuntu-manual team mailing list archive

[Vishnoo <drkvi-a@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, 2010-02-01 at 11:54 +0100, Thorsten Wilms wrote:
> Hi!
> 
> So we couldn't decide on a title on the last meeting. Here are the
> candidates and arguments. Note that I'm biased, so add or argue points
> if you can ;)
> 
> 
> What should the title be?
> =========================
> 
> "The Ubuntu Manual: A Beginner's Guide"
> "The Ubuntu 10.04 Manual: A Beginner's Guide"
> 
> Pro:
>  * Already established name.
>  * Matches the name of the team.
> 
> Contra:
>  * Sounds official and exclusive ("the one and only manual")

Drop the "The" , it will loose the exclusivity 

>  * "Manual" implies covering every detail.
>  * Needs the subtitle to actually say something about scope and 
>    audience.
>  * Lacking on the emotional side.
> 
> 
> "Getting Started with Ubuntu 10.04"
> 
> Pro:
>  * It avoids negative connotations of a classification like "beginner" 
>    or "novice", yet provides a hint to readers if it fits their 
>    situation.
>  * Has an encouraging feel to it.
>  * The version number is at the end, avoiding a break in the typography 
>    (better "flow").
Shouldnt be a major concern while deciding a books titles

>  * It's shorter than the other full title.
?? it not shorter to even say it ;) 
People can refer to the book title as: "Check out the Manual" , 

how do you expect folks to refer to the book with this title ?  "Check
out the ........... " ;)

> 
> Contra:
>  * It would be a name change, diminishing the publicity we already had.
>  * It has no short form as natural as "The Ubuntu Manual".
> 
> 
> Translations?
> =============
> 
> I'd like to see at least a few translations and remarks if either one
> translates better or worse. Do they compare differently in other
> languages?
> 
> 


We either stick with the present name or we find a good name quick. The
current alternative is _not_ better in any sense.

IMO ,  give it one week [for bikeshed, the till end of this week] and if
we dont have a clearly better name just stick with what we have now. 

It better to not loose the goodwill we have gathered so far , just for
the sake of typography

To kick off the bikeshed ;p >>>

"Ubuntu 10.04 Companion"
"Companion to Ubuntu 10.04"

"Companion" is commonly used for a lot of books to refer to the
shortened[gist] version of a bigger text book/manual. Users should
nearly get the meaning quicker. and hos all the pros of bot

I would suggest changing the "Ubuntu Manual Team" name to just the
"Manual team" Helps reducing the number of Ubuntu mentioned in the title
page. [or atleast, use it as "Manual team" on the book title]


-- 
Cheers,
Vish