[FM Discuss] Canonical writing conventions (was: CommandLineIntro/WritingConventions)

[Andy Oram]

I'm not a stickler for rules. That's why I put in this as the first guideline:

    Try to follow the rules in this section, but don't let them scare
    you or distract you from writing quickly, enjoying your work, and
    concentrating on the main goal of reaching out to readers on their
    own level.

If you want to be even looser about it, fine.

I think there are times (particularly before doing a major release or print run for some event) when someone should carefully copy-edit a book and try to apply the conventions. But I know all too well that the conventions dissolve over time as different people add updates. That was the subject of a recent blog that I think I posted to this list (http://toc.oreilly.com/2009/06/four-roles-for-publishers-stay.html)

Andy

----- Original Message -----
From: adam hyde <adam at flossmanuals.net>
To: discuss at lists.flossmanuals.net
Sent: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:16:37 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: [FM Discuss] Canonical writing conventions (was:	CommandLineIntro/WritingConventions)

looks good! :)

i dont know however if we need to refer all contributors to this
material, as some feel encumbered by rules...best to point those that
want to know at it and leave the rest to find it/ask for it when they
are ready