Helpful ReplyUpdate the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently

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scook
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2015/06/25 13:22:00 (permalink)
4.83 (12)

Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently

Willy has requested a thread about this subject.
 
Historically, the SONAR Reference Guide (the SONAR help in pdf format) was created from a snapshot of the help for  a version of SONAR within a month or so of release. The pdf would not be updated. Instead the local chm and more recently the web-based help files would get updates. Now the  local chm and web-based help files are updated with the release of program updates. How often should the reference guide be updated?
 
 
#1
Brando
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/06/25 14:23:30 (permalink)
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Sorry Scook - I voted before I read your post completely. I feel it should be updated "more" frequently, but understand that monthly is probably (possibly) excessive - especially if this affects resources applied to program fixes and enhancements.
That being said, I would believe that it shouldn't be a big deal to generate a pdf of the help file, should it?
No offence to Cake, but an up to date Reference Guide is more important to me than a Start Page or changes to the CCC. Just my opinion.

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#2
scook
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/06/25 14:28:51 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby jimfogle 2016/11/02 21:56:59
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There should be no competition for resources. The documentation group is different from the dev group.
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havemose
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/06/26 00:23:54 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby jimfogle 2015/12/06 13:01:54
+8 (8)
I would very much like the Reference Guide PDF to be current. I'd like to load the PDF on my kindle and read when away from the computer. Sonar is a complex product and I would like the opportunity to study when the opportunity present itself.
With today's documentation tools, it should be trivial to generate both windows help files and PDFs from the same source material. I suggest CW makes PDF generation part of the release process for documentation.
#4
icontakt
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/06/26 03:19:53 (permalink)
+2 (2)
I'm not sure how often the PDF reference guide should be updated, but I definitely want the documentation group to inspect the whole manual and correct all errors in it first.

Tak T.
 
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#5
Brando
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/06/26 07:07:44 (permalink)
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Thanks Scook (for resetting my vote)- I still think this is a "5" and revoted to reflect. Thanks for clarifying the resource situation wrt documentation.

Brando
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BobF
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/06/26 07:20:26 (permalink)
+1 (1)
I can remember the days when paper ruled for tech manuals.  Rather than a full blown reproduction, an errata was maintained on an ongoing basis until its content was folded into the next edition of the manual.
 
With web pages being what they are, it seems this model would be particularly efficient as it would provide an immediately available resource for users AND a repository of changes needed for the next full production.  Especially considering the fluid nature of Sonar versions these days.
 
 

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#7
BobF
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/06/26 07:23:22 (permalink)
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scook
There should be no competition for resources. The documentation group is different from the dev group.




This might be true as far as competing with resources for Sonar bugs and features, but I have to believe that the documentation people are doing *something* other than eating bagels between Sonar doc productions.  If not, then I have some cost containment measures in mind for Cakewalk. 

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#8
mudgel
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/07/03 08:04:34 (permalink)
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Yes. Cut out the bagels. Go work on the hover car, board, device. See what I did there? Ha?

Mike V. (MUDGEL)

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charlyg
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/07/03 08:23:02 (permalink)
-1 (1)
I'm a retired PC tech, and electronic tech before that. I have read tons of manuals, but frankly I would rather watch a show and tell video than slog thru another manual.
 

 
 
#10
Sir William
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/08/30 06:59:29 (permalink)
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Hi. I also like to read the manual when travelling or away from my studio. One option is to use a free chm to pdf conversion software and pop the result on your kindle / reader. I admit it isn't as pretty as the manual, but it IS as up to date as you can get.

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slartabartfast
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/08/30 12:33:05 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby jimfogle 2015/12/06 13:04:39
+4 (4)
charlyg
I'm a retired PC tech, and electronic tech before that. I have read tons of manuals, but frankly I would rather watch a show and tell video than slog thru another manual. 




And I am a read-to-absorb learner. I get virtually nothing from a video or lecture but a physical book sticks in my mind. I can read and interpret an hour of how-to video in about a fifth of the time, and the ability to look back a half page instantly if something slips by on the first run is invaluable. Looking up a forgotten or misunderstood concept in a library of videos is a hopeless task, but takes only seconds in a full text search of a pdf.
#12
pwalpwal
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/09/24 12:14:13 (permalink)
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is the online help searchable yet?

just a sec

#13
scook
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/09/24 12:21:32 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby pwalpwal 2015/09/24 12:56:07
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Both the website and chm are searchable.
#14
Beepster
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/12/05 13:25:22 (permalink)
-1 (1)
I think realistically every 6 months would be appropriate for a PDF update/snapshot.
 
Upvoted just because...
post edited by Beepster - 2015/12/05 13:37:17
#15
scottfa
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/12/05 13:40:13 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby jimfogle 2016/06/23 20:25:12
+2 (2)
I would think that Cakewalk would want to have just one manual. So, update the local PDFs at the same time as the on line version. Have an option in the CCC to download the revised  PDF.

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BobF
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2015/12/05 16:57:05 (permalink)
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IIRC, the last several (two?) monthly updates have included updated docs.  If that's part of the regular routine, this FR could be marked as "Implemented"

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phil5633
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2016/06/23 16:44:07 (permalink)
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scook
Both the website and chm are searchable.


How do I find the chm? All the links under the Help tab appear to go to the web. None appear to go to local documentation.

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scook
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2016/06/23 16:50:25 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby phil5633 2016/06/23 17:16:15
+2 (2)
Going to the web is the default. If the PC is not connected to the web it will fall back to the local help. To force SONAR to use the local help enable "Always Use Local Help" in Preferences > File > Advanced. To see advanced settings make sure the Advanced radio button is selected at the bottom of the Preferences dialog.
#19
phil5633
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2016/06/23 16:57:01 (permalink)
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Given that the online documentation is continuously updated, I can refer to that more often and report any issues I encounter. Some time back I started using the online documentation but ran in to trouble along the way and switched back to the pdf versions, but I don't recall what the problem was. It might have been difficulties printing excerpts that I could markup and keep at my desk I'll start relying more on the online documentation.
 
With respect to how often to update the pdf versions, I'd say as often as practical but not too often. I like having it available for use offline. Like other's I think adding features and correcting problems are more important than maintaining pdf documentation.
 
Also it's confusing to get a new copy of an old PDF file with each release. I'd prefer that the PDF file not be included in updates unless it's been updated and has a new version number.
 
Bill
 

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phil5633
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2016/06/23 17:03:14 (permalink)
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scook
Going to the web is the default. If the PC is not connected to the web it will fall back to the local help. To force SONAR to use the local help enable "Always Use Local Help" in Preferences > File > Advanced. To see advanced settings make sure the Advanced radio button is selected at the bottom of the Preferences dialog.


Thanks I like the Local Version. To me it's easier to navigate than the web version. I'm glad that this is continuously updated as well.
 
Bill

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pwalpwal
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update reference manual 2016/10/15 11:40:30 (permalink)
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(i thought i'd posted this already but can;t find it within the last 18 months of forum posts)
 
update the big reference guide (circa 2015) with all the update infos (forum/ezine) since then
 
ideally this would be every month with the update (it's not a big task) but could just be yearly or?

just a sec

#22
scook
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2016/10/15 11:44:16 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby pwalpwal 2016/10/15 11:52:39
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merged
#23
BobF
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2016/10/15 19:27:59 (permalink)
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My latest idea:  update the pdf guide and ref.  Free downloads and make printed copies available via lulu.com

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ricoskyl
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2016/10/20 14:04:02 (permalink)
0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The help pane is really useful, but I'd like to be able to search help right from the Help menu.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I

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#25
vdd
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Update of the Manual (PDF) please 2016/10/29 08:52:02 (permalink)
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It would be great, if the manual in pdf-format gets an update. While the chtm-file is good at the pc, I like to have a pdf to print certain things, read on an tablet or even an ereader.
The version in my installation folder is from 2015 and there was happening a lot with the rolling updates...
Thank you!

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#26
scook
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Re: Update of the Manual (PDF) please 2016/10/29 10:00:37 (permalink)
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merged
#27
pwalpwal
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Re: Update of the Manual (PDF) please 2016/10/29 10:34:16 (permalink)
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wondering why the PDF version isn't kept up-to-date when the CHM version is? can't someone just do a "save as PDF" from the same source??
 

just a sec

#28
mudgel
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Re: Update the SONAR Reference Guide more frequently 2016/10/31 10:00:08 (permalink)
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I'm all for keeping all the documents synchronised and up to date.

Mike V. (MUDGEL)

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