diff --git a/Manuals/Tcar-ug/Preface/overview.docbook b/Manuals/Tcar-ug/Preface/overview.docbook new file mode 100644 index 0000000..49854d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/Manuals/Tcar-ug/Preface/overview.docbook @@ -0,0 +1,177 @@ +<section id="preface-overview"> + <title>Overview</title> + + <para> + The corporate identity is always present on corporations, even + when no intentional control is taken over it. It is a choise + from the corporation to define how much control to take over + its identity. This kind of control is expensive and not all + corporations are able to maintain it. However, it is + necessary that, based on pragmatic facts, the corporation + assume an acceptable degree of compromise with its identity in + order to create a consistent idea of itself in a way that can + be progresively improved through time. + </para> + + <para> + During the years (2003-2009), we've seen a growing interest + inside &TCC; for helping on &TCP; development. Some people + seem to be very clear about what the project needs are and how + to maintain it being a very stable project, but others however + don't to get what &TCP; is (even it is explained time after + time) and sometimes decide to put their efforts in the wrong + direction making everything to be a waste of time and source + of distraction from what is really needed. + </para> + + <para> + &TCAR; phases the question <quote>What can I do for + &TCP;?</quote> by identifying different work lines you can + join in and providing automated production mechanisms that + complement one another according to each work line needs so + consistent results can be achieved inside a distributed + environment under version control. For example, consider an + environment where there are graphic designers to produce + images, documentors to produce documentation manuals (whose + can use images produced by graphic designers), programmers to + produce automation scripts (needed to standardize production + tasks) and translators to localize source files created by + graphic designers, documetors and programmers. Once such + environment has been implemented, it would be possible for + packagers to take localized images and localized documentation + from &TCAR; (through an automation script probably) to + rebrand/update the content of those packages inside &TCD; that + must include information specific to &TCP; itself (e.g., boot + loader, distribution installer, release notes, display + managers, release notes, web browsers default page, etc.). + </para> + + <para> + Most production tasks inside &TCAR; are focused on the files + needed to implement &TCP; visual identity.<footnote> + <para> + Notice that, here, visual identity means everything + perceived through the human's visual sences (i.e., the + human eyes), but the corporate identity is a wider concept + that extends to all human senses (i.e., visibilty (eyes), + audition (ears), scent (nose), touch (fingers), and savour + (tongue)), not just that one related to visual aspects. + Nevertheless, we need to be consequent with the media + where &TCP; manifests its existence on, as described in + <xref linkend="identity" />. + </para></footnote> This includes everything from file edition + (e.g., text width, text indentation, line numbering, text + tabulation, etc.) up to how the web sites, distribution, and + industrial stuff (e.g., pullovers, caps, installation media, + etc.) look and feel. Notice that, more specific details like + typography, window design, icons, menu items, etc., inside + &TCD; are already covered by &TCP; upstream provider. In our + effort to be 100% binary compatible with the upstream provider + and also keeping maintainance low, we stand over those + specific details as much as possible assuming them as default. + However, if you feel brave enough (and prove your ability to + keep yourself being that way) it would be possible to open a + work line for you to maintain variants of such very specific + details. + </para> + + <para> + In addition to visual manifestations, there are also emotional + feelings (e.g., motivation) and ethical behaviours (e.g., good + will) that must be considered as part of &TCP; corporate + identity. A pleasant experience in this area includes + &TCWIKI;, specifically the way it was conceived and + administered. When the &TCWIKI; was published, &TCP; published + a list of needs so anyone could contribute based on them. + Not to much time after that, the list triggered some souls' + motivations ruled by the good will of initiating the + localization of contents published inside the wiki, + redesigning its visual style, proposing the TreeFlower theme + for &TCD;, and reducing to zero the contraditions of + precoceived minds with respect, reason and passion. As result + of this experience, we found that maintaining and extending + the effort on covering all the visual manifestations &TCP; is + made of would require to focalize &TCC; creative forces in + very well defined directions, telling it where to go and also + providing the vehicles it needs to move on. + </para> + + <para> + &TCAR; extends &TCWIKI; feelings and ethicals behaviours to + itself by identifying the visual manifestations &TCP; is made + of and allowing people to develop them through standardized + procedures inside a colaborative environment. + </para> + + <para> + Finally, if you need to do something for &TCP;, be sure to + define what that something exactly is and also make it a + community effort so it can be validated as something useful to + the community itself. Otherwise, the effort would loose its + initial sense soon enough so as to be considered seriously. + Notice that the way these needs are described may take + different forms: They can be written and organized inside a + book, an article, or even a well documented program ;-). + </para> + + <para> + To make the information in this book managable, it has been + organized in the following parts: + </para> + + <itemizedlist> + <listitem> + <para> + <xref linkend="repo" /> describes the convenctions you should + follow to keep everything organized and consistent inside the + repository, how to prepare your workstation to install and + configure a working copy inside it, and a history of most + relevant changes committed to the repository along the years. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + <xref linkend="identity" /> describes the identity work line. + This part is closely related to graphic design and considers + &TCP; as corporation to find the aspects that could affect its + visual identity. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + <xref linkend="l10n" /> describes the localization work line. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + <xref linkend="manuals" /> describes the documentation work + line. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + <xref linkend="scripts" /> describes the automation work line. + </para> + </listitem> + + <listitem> + <para> + <xref linkend="licenses" /> organizes the licenses mentioned + inside this book. + </para> + </listitem> + + </itemizedlist> + + <para> + This manual assumes you have a basic understanding of &TCD;. + If you need help with it, go to the <ulink + url="http://wiki.centos.org/Help">Help</ulink> page inside The + CentOS Wiki for or a list of different places you can find + help. + </para> +</section>