Re: A database theory resource - ideas

"David Cressey" <cressey73_at_verizon.net> wrote:

>"Gene Wirchenko" <genew_at_ocis.net> wrote in message
>news:bfsrv2hl721alnmgdn8hdeuc5tnd2p01nl_at_4ax.com...
>> "Walt" <wamitty_at_verizon.net> wrote:
>>
>> [snip]
>>
>> >I love the idea of a FAQ. IMO, the hard part in building up a FAQ is not
>so
>> >much finding the right answers as finding the right questions. Once your
>> >question base reaches critical mass, it will pretty much feed itself, I
>> >guess.
>>
>> So do I, but I have found most FAQs to be useless unless I
>> already know much of the material. If one is just starting in an
>> area, being told to read the FAQ can be very discouraging. Typically,
>> FAQs are full of jargon, and you have a long read to determine if what
>> you want to know about is even in the FAQ. Even if it is, it might
>> not be written in language that one understands.

>I think I know the answer to this one, although I can't prove it.
>
>I believe the answer has to do with learning how to write hypertext
>correctly.
>I've mastered the rudiments of hypertext, the same as most c.d.t. regulars
>probably have. But using hypertext to good effect involves style as well
>as technique. We need style guides for hypertext.

     I think that hypertext is irrelevant to the issue.

>We also need a map of how beginners frequently view the interconnectedness
>of a subject. I suspect that the map for a beginner is very different than

     But this is VERY relevant.

>the map for an old hand. Then we need to take the FAQ, and organize it

     Yes, quite. Much of learning is building the map.

>into hypertext in such a way that the beginner will be able to follow the
>right links to get the right stuff.
>
>This is easier to describe than it is to do.

     Of course. You know the information. That means that you do not not-know the information. It may be hard to remember what it was like when you did not know.

     Part of the problem is the lack of interaction. When I take courses, I talk with the instructor. I took one course long distance. It was like having an arm cut off.

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko

Computerese Irregular Verb Conjugation:

     I have preferences.
     You have biases.
     He/She has prejudices.