Blame Documentation/Models/Docbook/Tcar-ug/Repository/introduction.docbook

7799dd
<section id="preface-overview">
37ad03
7799dd
    <title>Overview</title>
7799dd
7799dd
    <para>
3e4d0d
        The corporations always have a corporate identity, even when
3e4d0d
        they don't take an intentional control over it. It is a choise
7799dd
        from the corporation to define how much control to take over
7799dd
        its identity.  This kind of control is expensive and not all
7799dd
        corporations are able to maintain it.  However, it is
7799dd
        necessary that, based on pragmatic facts, the corporation
7799dd
        assume an acceptable degree of compromise with its identity in
7799dd
        order to create a consistent idea of itself in a way that can
7799dd
        be progresively improved through time.
7799dd
    </para>
7799dd
    
7799dd
    <para>
7799dd
        During the years (2003-2009), we've seen a growing interest
7799dd
        inside &TC;; for helping on &TC;; development. Some people
7799dd
        seem to be very clear about what the project needs are and how
7799dd
        to maintain it being a very stable project, but others however
7799dd
        don't to get what &TC;; is (even it is explained time after
7799dd
        time) and sometimes decide to put their efforts in the wrong
7799dd
        direction making everything to be a waste of time and source
7799dd
        of distraction from what is really needed.
7799dd
    </para>
7799dd
    
7799dd
    <para>
7799dd
        &TCAR; phases the question <quote>What can I do for
7799dd
        &TC;;?</quote> by identifying different work lines you can
7799dd
        join in and providing automated production mechanisms that
7799dd
        complement one another according to each work line needs so
7799dd
        consistent results can be achieved inside a distributed
7799dd
        environment under version control.  For example, consider an
7799dd
        environment where there are graphic designers to produce
7799dd
        images, documentors to produce documentation manuals (whose
7799dd
        can use images produced by graphic designers), programmers to
7799dd
        produce automation scripts (needed to standardize production
7799dd
        tasks) and translators to localize source files created by
7799dd
        graphic designers, documetors and programmers.  Once such
7799dd
        environment has been implemented, it would be possible for
7799dd
        packagers to take localized images and localized documentation
7799dd
        from &TCAR; (through an automation script probably) to
7799dd
        rebrand/update the content of those packages inside &TC;; that
7799dd
        must include information specific to &TC;; itself (e.g., boot
7799dd
        loader, distribution installer, release notes, display
7799dd
        managers, release notes, web browsers default page, etc.).
7799dd
    </para>
7799dd
7799dd
    <para>
7799dd
        Most production tasks inside &TCAR; are focused on the files
3e4d0d
        needed to implement &TC;; corporate visual identity.<footnote>
7799dd
        <para>
7799dd
            Notice that, here, visual identity means everything
7799dd
            perceived through the human's visual sences (i.e., the
7799dd
            human eyes), but the corporate identity is a wider concept
7799dd
            that extends to all human senses (i.e., visibilty (eyes),
7799dd
            audition (ears), scent (nose), touch (fingers), and savour
7799dd
            (tongue)), not just that one related to visual aspects.
7799dd
            Nevertheless, we need to be consequent with the media
7799dd
            where &TC;; manifests its existence on, as described in
7799dd
            <xref linkend="identity" />. 
7799dd
        </para></footnote> This includes everything from file edition
7799dd
        (e.g., text width, text indentation, line numbering, text
7799dd
        tabulation, etc.) up to how the web sites, distribution, and
7799dd
        industrial stuff (e.g., pullovers, caps, installation media,
7799dd
        etc.) look and feel.  Notice that, more specific details like
7799dd
        typography, window design, icons, menu items, etc., inside
7799dd
        &TC;; are already covered by &TC;; upstream provider.  In our
7799dd
        effort to be 100% binary compatible with the upstream provider
7799dd
        and also keeping maintainance low, we stand over those
7799dd
        specific details as much as possible assuming them as default.
7799dd
        However, if you feel brave enough (and prove your ability to
7799dd
        keep yourself being that way) it would be possible to open a
7799dd
        work line for you to maintain variants of such very specific
3e4d0d
        details inside &TCAR;.
7799dd
    </para>
7799dd
        
7799dd
    <para>
7799dd
        In addition to visual manifestations, there are also emotional
3e4d0d
        feelings and ethical behaviours that must be considered as
3e4d0d
        part of &TC;; corporate identity. A pleasant experience in
3e4d0d
        this area includes &TCWIKI;, specifically the way it was
3e4d0d
        conceived and administered. When the &TCWIKI; was published,
3e4d0d
        &TC;; published a list of needs with it so anyone could
3e4d0d
        contribute based on them.  Not much time after that, the list
3e4d0d
        of tasks triggered some souls' motivations ruled by the good
3e4d0d
        will of initiating the translation of that content published
3e4d0d
        inside the wiki, redesigning its visual style, proposing the
3e4d0d
        TreeFlower theme for &TC;;, and reducing to zero the
3e4d0d
        contraditions of precoceived minds with respect, reason and
3e4d0d
        passion. As result of this experience, we found that &TC;;
3e4d0d
        posseses an incredible strong creative force, however, a long
3e4d0d
        path must be traveled before it can be focalized into the
3e4d0d
        right direction because: it isn't enough just telling what the
3e4d0d
        right direction is, it is also necessary to provide the
3e4d0d
        vehicles for &TC;; be able of moving through it.
7799dd
    </para>
7799dd
    
7799dd
    <para>
3e4d0d
        &TCAR; extends the feelings and ethicals behaviours from
3e4d0d
        &TCWIKI; to itself by identifying the visual manifestations
3e4d0d
        &TC;; is made of (i.e., tracing a direction) and allowing
3e4d0d
        people to develop them through standardized procedures inside
3e4d0d
        a colaborative environment (i.e., providing the vehicles).
7799dd
    </para>
7799dd
    
7799dd
    <para>
3e4d0d
        Finally, if you find yourself needing to do something for
3e4d0d
        &TC;; and &TCAR; isn't the place for it,  be sure to define
3e4d0d
        what that something exactly is and also make it a community
3e4d0d
        effort so it can be validated as something useful to the
3e4d0d
        community itself.  Otherwise, the effort would loose its
7799dd
        initial sense soon enough so as to be considered seriously.
7799dd
        Notice that the way these needs are described may take
3e4d0d
        different forms: they can be written and organized inside a
7799dd
        book, an article, or even a well documented program ;-).
7799dd
    </para>
7799dd
7799dd
</section>