tutorials tutorials....

[tester]

I'm aware that there are here some great tutorials, but for folks like me - digging in depth is painful if tutorial is "generally topic related", extensive and not "praticular solution related". On the other hand - most of complex solutions are usually made of simple parts which replicate here and there. So I was thiking - maybe it's a good idea to develop a "map of topics and directions" according to which micro-tutorials could be created? Like from "10 ways of changing trigger into boolean switch" to "10 ways to make simplest bandpass filter" and so on. Having a map - it's easier to explore options and parameters - and borderlines. Having a map - it's easier to produce tutorials without too much effort (and map is transparent - could be used for SM or anything else); if you ever wrote a 600k+ book then you know what I'm talking about. Hmm... Hmm... it's like making different lego blocks, and making them easy enough, to have no need to build from them any final examples. Lego blocks - can be connected in different combinations then. Hmm...?

[Warmonger]

This could work in a form of Wiki. In fact, Wiki is the best form of organizing knowledge and complex informations.

[trogluddite]

...and we do have a Wiki already.
Trouble is it is very clumsy and non-intuitive to edit (and cannot be done offline), and that makes it an arduous task, and very time -consuming (especially for us amateurs doing it in our spare time).
To make any tutorial resource work well really requires some central organisation, or at least a tight set of submission rules to make it work. Things have to be put in the right place, but also "filtered" to some extent to ensure their usefulness - and that really requires someone to take responsibility for the "administration".
OutSim have little input now beyond hosting the forum, and all moderators are volunteers with very limited time - so I think the "disjointed" nature of things is inevitable unless OutSim dedicate some resources to formalising the "knowledge base".

[tester]

Trog - maybe we could write a book? You have knowledge, I have some organizational skills, some others would help... a year or so and "Programming SM, part 1 - Basics" for $10.99 on Amazon & Co.?

[trogluddite]

It would be a fascinating project - but, I fear, one that I simple do not have the time for. My attempts at the Triggers Tutorial have taught me just how time consuming putting together such a thing can be - as much in the preparation of useful examples as in the actual writing.
Precisely why I say that documentation is something that OutSim would be wise to invest in - particularly surprising as one of their target markets (even more so for FlowStone) is the educational sector, where the provision of practical examples and structured curricula would be a major selling point. I know this from experience as I work for a company in this sector, and our customers often comment on the value of the worksheet packs, project examples etc. that we give away with all our products.

[tester]

...that why I placed this idea in off topic. However I disagree about lack of time. Well organized/structured project like this - does not consumes too much time. For example - what we did around my app in last 2-3 months - was in some ways similar to writing such book. Partial concepts, solutions, directions. The less words and thoughts you need, to explain a concept, in a way that will be understood by the other side - the better storyteller you are. But your thoughts and words - should touch the essence. And not everything must be made "at once" - splitting in portions and areas is important. If what you do - is around a project that you work on - then you do not waste your time; you just get a by-productof your work, bonus feature so to speak. At least this is from my experience.

The difference between good advice and practical advice?
Everyone will repeat a good advice to others.
Everone will practice a practical advice, understanding it in their own way..