User:MasterMind

This is my opening gambit. My objective in being here is to get the Master Document facilities in the OpenOffice.org Writer in Ubuntu (at least) into a first rate, useful, usable system that will please me, and attract other prospective users who find current M. D. systems, not only OOo's, 'unusable' (their term, not mine).

What do I know about master documents? - what I learned from the Word Perfect system years ago, what I learned from that other proprietary system recently, and what I have so far learned about OOo by trying to assemble a master document of all my philosophy notes on books read, course preparations, and personal essays - a hundred or so files occupying about 3.5MB. (Yes, I need a good master document system, preferably one that will allow sub-docs of sub-docs as the WP system did.)

What do I have that others don't? - 27 years experience as a systems programmer with IBM, including tutoring classes at work and at university. Also the experience of preparing several 10-session classes in philosophy for adults.

What do I intend to do? Firstly, starting a month ago, learn enough about what is there in OOo to be able to write a thorough introduction to master document generally, and the OOo implementation in particular. (No, not a user manual: that's being done elsewhere by the people concerned with the system. This is intended as a description of the facilities as such.) Tis will give rise to a commentary of what I see as the faults and omissions in the existing system, and suggestions as to how it might be improved. This I will publish progressively on my website as the writing gets done. When enough of it is ready, I will publish the web URL here, and invite polite comments and suggestions as to how I am doing and what else I should do.

Meanwhile, if anyone besides Jeremy thinks this is a good idea, I would appreciate a little encouragement.