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From: briand@tekig4.UUCP (Brian Diehm)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Use of IM
Message-ID: <1137@tekig4.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 8-Dec-86 14:36:56 EST
Article-I.D.: tekig4.1137
Posted: Mon Dec  8 14:36:56 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 14-Dec-86 20:35:46 EST
References: <385@runx.OZ> <1366@hoptoad.uucp> <342@apple.UUCP> <4372@ut-ngp.UUCP> <611@uwmacc.UUCP> <8852DMB@PSUVMA>
Reply-To: briand@tekig4.UUCP (Brian Diehm)
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton, OR.
Lines: 21

> about IM,
> i'd have to agree that it is pretty useless to the beginning mac programmer.

Actually, I'd disagree.  I have been able, typically, to wander into some "new"
section of IM that I am completely unfamiliar with, spend no more than 10
minutes, and figure out which calls I need and start playing.  Usually, I have
NOT needed to read the intro for that section; I have been able to START with
the descriptions of the calls!  I can think of NO section where I needed to
completely read the intro in order to do my work, and usually I can pick out
the section of the intro that will answer my problem questions in very short
order.  Yes, this has included even such arcana as the window manager.

In point of fact, though the organization is unorthodox, the documentation of
the entire system is monumental, and quite useful.  Unlike so much documenta-
tion of large systems, IM is quickly useful without much searching around.
In my opinion, compared with, say, un*x documentation, it is a real breath of
fresh air.  Rather than being chastised, Apple should be congratulated on the
achievement.

-Brian Diehm
Tektronix, Inc. (SDA - Standard Disclaimers Apply)