Re: How do new users feel about LilyPond's documentation?

[Federico Bruni]

Hi Abraham

I've been using LilyPond since 6 years.

I think that LilyPond documentation is great. Learning Manual is a gentle introduction (basically 3 chapters only) for new users and Notation Reference is a complete reference, well indexed and easy to search through.

I never found anything better (which is as complex as LilyPond).

2015-04-22 17:09 GMT+02:00 Abraham Lee <address@hidden>:

All,

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, even going so far as to create my own "Quick Start" tutorials for new users, but I can only go so far in my own head. I really have two questions that I keep wondering about:

1. What is the thing you (especially new users) like the least about LilyPond's documentation structure?
2. If you could have the same documentation structure as found in another notation program, which program is it? Or put another way: Is there a notation program out there that has a documentation structure you like?
   

1. The missing connection between input and output, in other words something similar to the experience of point-and-click in an editor. Yes, this is not about structure. I think that structure of NR is Ok.
Also, syntax highlighting would help readability:
https://code.google.com/p/lilypond/issues/detail?id=2578
https://code.google.com/p/lilypond/issues/detail?id=1005

2. no idea

 

I'm asking this because I'm trying to determine how we in the 'Pond can make it easier for new users to jump in with both feet instead of dipping a toe and getting scared of the deep.

I may be over-thinking this, but I keep getting the feeling that people are scared of using LilyPond partially because the documentation, though deep and detailed, is a little too deep and technical for new users who are familiar with a GUI program and less familiar with programming.

I think that the best way for that kind of users is starting from screencasts:
http://benlemon.me/blog/music/lilypond/operation-lilypond

What I would find useful is an interactive guide to lilypond syntax:
https://code.google.com/p/lilypond/issues/detail?id=4200