[PD] [PD-announce] Proof Me! PD FLOSS Manual

marius schebella marius.schebella at gmail.com
Tue May 6 22:31:18 CEST 2008


I've already pointed some people to the manual during the last weeks, 
everyone gave me a very good feedback. I think the site is great!
marius.

Derek Holzer wrote:
> Dear Pure Dataheads,
> 
> following the PD FLOSS Booksprint in Croatia last month, the 0.1 version
> of the Pure Data FLOSS Manual is now online!
> 
> http://flossmanuals.net/puredata
> 
> The Pure Data FLOSS Manual is conceived as a beginner's approach to Pure
> Data which, unlike most of the existing documentation, doesn't assume that
> the user has a degree in mathematics or computer science before they get
> started! Currently, information on installing and configuring PD, the
> interface, dataflow tutorials and audio tutorials are included. The
> FLOSS Manuals philosophy is that chapters from the different available
> FLOSS Manuals can be "remixed" to create new manuals (for course readers
> & curriculums, classroom manuals, etc etc). Everything is published
> under the GNU General Public License.
> 
> Adam Hyde, Luka Prinčič and myself busted some serious ass to get this
> up, and now we're ready to take on our toughest customers: YOU.
> 
> We'd really appreciate it if members of this list could read through the
> chapters, keeping the following points in mind:
> 
> 1) Is the text clear and consistent?
> 2) If technical jargon is used, is it defined inline or included in the
> Glossary in the back?
> 3) Are the tutorials complete, or are some steps or information missing?
> 4) Grammar/spelling, of course
> 5) Could each chapter exist as a self-standing tutorial outside the
> context of the PD Manual (i.e. could it be "remixed" with chapters from
> other FLOSS Manuals without losing anything)?
> 
> Those not so familiar with Pure Data are encouraged to go through the
> different tutorials and give feedback as to whether they need more (or
> less!) information, and whether different parts are redundant or need to
> be split off from the chapters they are in. Experienced PD users are
> also welcome, of course!
> 
> Also, we are still seeking help getting graphics and screenshots for
> several sections. And there is a HUGE to-do list if you want to get more
> seriously involved in the project!
> 
> Thanks and best wishes!
> Derek
> 
> ----TO DO BY CHAPTER LIST----
> 
> 
> # Pure Data
> # Introduction
> 
> ---cover image, important!
> 
> # WhatIsGraphicalProgramming
> 
> ----icons/graphics to go with concepts in text
> ----icons of modular synth with patch cables or similar analog "patching"
> ----flowchart of inputs and outputs between PD and audio, MIDI, network,
> video, Arduino/motors, etc
> ----chart describing relationship of PD to Externals
> 
> # WhatIsDigitalAudio
> 
> ----icons/graphics to go with concepts in text
> ----icon of speaker cone movement
> ----icon of microphone to voltage to soundcard
> ----icon of soundcard to voltage to speaker movement
> ----icon of clipping audio
> ----icon/graph illustrating Nyquist foldover
> 
> # Installing
> # Linux (source)
> # Windows
> # InstallingOSX
> 
> ---Updated Extended installation instruction
> ---Screenshots of installation
> 
> # ConfiguringPD
> 
> ---Screenshots of config menus from all three operating systems
> (slightly different locations on OSX, Windows, Linux)
> ---Better introduction to Path, Startup and how to configure Externals
> with Extended
> 
> # TroubleShooting
> 
> ---"I don't hear any sound!" Screenshot "compute audio" button + audio
> settings in PD, Maybe also audio control panels from different OSes?
> ---"The test tone sounds distorted!" Add screencap of testtone.pd patch
> ---"I'm not seeing any audio input!"audio settings in PD, with inputs
> and outputs highlighted
> ---"I don't see any MIDI input!" Screencaps: audio/midi prefernces with
> midi highlighted, OSX: Audio MIDI Setup.app, Linux: QJackctl, Windows:
> MIDI Ox/MIDI Yoke Junction
> ---"I get the message "... couldn't create" when I open a patch and
> there's a dashed line around my object!" Screencap: patch with uncreated
> objects (missing path/external problem)
> 
> 
> # Getting Started
> # StartingPD
> 
> ---"Starting PD with the Clickable Icon": OSX, Linux screencaps
> 
> # TheInterface
> 
> ---Screenshots of different menus from all three OSes
> 
> # AudioTutorials
> 
> ---"Introduction": block diagram of synthesizer architecture, as
> desribed in text
> ---Formatting: messages like "bang" inside quotes (no Caps, as I have
> done with "Bang" in some places and need to change...)
> 
> # AudioStreaming
> # DataflowTutorials
> 
> ---give titles to screenshots so that readers can tell which patches
> match which images (some do this, some don't...)
> ---"Math": examples/discussion of [expr]???
> ---"Order of connecting and [trigger]": explain the patches in-line,
> rather than only in comments in screenshots (so that text is searchable,
> copy/pasteable..)
> ---Screencaps are very aliased, to the point where you can't read
> the ~ in the object names. Should they be redone at new resolution or
> with antialiasing?
> 
> 
> # Appendices
> # PureGlossary
> 
> ---format of object names = [italics in square brackets], must be
> formatted correctly
> ---format of glossary words in general text: we don't have one yet. Bold
> on first use in chapter maybe? Needs formatting all through text.
> 
> # ListofObjects
> 
> ---incomplete, please add more libs
> ---maybe more discussion of externals needed as well
> ---formatting of object names?
> 
> # PureLinks
> 
> ---always welcome
> 
> # Credits
> 
> 
> ----MORE CHAPTERS/SECTIONS TO DO-----
> 
> * Configuring "Path" and "Startup" + adding Externals VERY IMPORTANT!
> * MIDI tutorial (keyboards, sliders, etc, input + output to/from devices
> or other programs)
> * HID sensor tutorial
> * Patching strategies (advanced usage and examples of GoP, Abstractions
> mostly)
> * Audiofile manipulation (tables + Extended objects)
> * Realtime effects tutorial (delays, filters, etc)
> * GEM VJ tutorial (pix_film, pix_movie)
> * Networked data (OSC, netsend/netreceive)
> 
> 





More information about the Pd-list mailing list