Document name: AID-faq.txt Author: Lorenzo Colloreta Version: 3, 29-Oct-1995 AID - Amiga Ideas Database Frequently Asked Questions For those who can't wait reading long docs... Written by Lorenzo Colloreta email: lcs@zen.it ---------------------------------------------------- * Index : 1 - What is AID? 2 - What's AID utility? 3 - Where can I get AID full documentation? 4 - Where can I get AID Files? 5 - What kind of requests can I post to AID? 6 - How can I post requests to AID? 7 - How can I know if my request has been accepted? 8 - Can I be useful to AID maintaining work? 9 - Is there a browser for the AID Database? 10- Is AID freely redistributable? 11- Is feedback welcome?? Appendix A - The AID forms for postings ---------------------------------------------------- 1- What is AID? AID stands for Amiga Ideas Database, it's a project created for Amiga users, collecting and spreading IDEAS about Amiga software coming from users who need it but can't develope it. Requests can be posted to AID maintainer(s) and may become a part of the database, feedback (if any) coming from other users, regarding similar software already existing or willing to develope it, will be added to the database as well. AID structure includes many archives (mostly in LHA format), released with conventional filenames: - AID-faq : This FAQ text - AID-docs : The full AID documentation (Amigaguide and txt format) - AID-n : The main AID request archive, where "n" is the release number - AID-goals : Archive containing software developed due to specific AID requests - AID-store : Comprehensive archive of all "old" AID requests since the first release - AID-ware : Will include any special software released for use with AID archives, such as browsers, search tools and similar. Databases will be released in several formats, filename extension identifies the class: - .txt : Ascii textfile - .guide : Amigaguide browse-able archive New standards, such as "KingFisher" database or other dedicated browsers will be added as soon as possible. Possible browsers and/or additional programs to use with AID databases will be available thru the AID Web homepage and other distribution sites. ---------------------------------------------------- 2 - What's AID utility? AID will help good ideas meeting good programmers, as these two things not necessarily come together. AID structure is much less noisy than any Amiga related newsgroup, contains ONLY ideas for software and will store any request with no need to browse frequently large sets of datas, there's no risk of missing requests. ---------------------------------------------------- 3 - Where can I get AID full documentation? To use it I recommend you reading the official full documentation, you can retrieve the updated version here: - The AID Web Homepage is located at: http://www.zen.it/~lcs/aid.html - Anonymous FTP: - ANY AMINET SITE (directory DOCS/MISC): AID-docs.lha - By email: just email me and ask: lcs@zen.it - Subject must start with - German users: If you need German documentation or want to ask questions in German, just email to Andreas Spreen (andi@miglos.cadlab.de) or take a look at his web page: http://www.cadlab.de/~andi/ ---------------------------------------------------- 4 - Where can I get AID Files? At the moment AID-archive is released as a rich-ascii file, following "kingfisher" standard for identifying records and fields. The AID-archive and AID download sites can be found by WWW logging into AID homepage (http://www.zen.it/~lcs/aid.html), or by Amiga related newsgroups and possibly by Aminet sites. A mailing list could be activated soon, it will depend on feedback. ---------------------------------------------------- 5 - What kind of requests can I post to AID? There are three main types of messages you can post to AID maintainers: - Software Request: idea suggesting a software that it is supposed NOT EXISTING in the Amiga PD/Shareware or even commercial software pool. Types of software include: -conventional programs (executable) -AmigaDOS/Arexx/Scala(tm) scripts -Libraries and devices -Any language source code -etc - Answer to request: If you're developing or plan to develope a software following an AID request, you should let us know, and your name will be included in the database - Software information: If an AID request refers to an already EXISTING program you should let us know, specifying the program name and possible Internet download site(s). NOTICE: Please avoid sending messages like ".. where can I find...?" ALWAYS take a look at the many sources and indexes of Amiga PD/Commercial software before sending a request to AID, you will avoid us a lot of useless work. Thanks!. ---------------------------------------------------- 6 - How can I post requests to AID? These requests can be posted simply by filling in the respective forms. You can find these forms at the end of this document. Any other request type will take more time to be processed by archive maintainers. +-----------------------------------------+ | Requests have to be posted by email to: | | | | lcs@zen.it | +-----------------------------------------+ | | | "Subject:" field should start with | | "AID-request" | +-----------------------------------------+ Requests can also be posted by regular snail-mail, but of course email is highly recommended. Snail-mail address is: AID Lorenzo Colloreta Via A Calugi 9 - loc.Pontelungo 51030 Pistoia ITALY ---------------------------------------------------- 7 - How can I know if my request has been accepted? Generally AID maintainers will send a message back to the user, informing about the destiny of the posted request. Requests may be rejected if: - There is existing PD/Shareware software with the same specifications of the request - The request is too general and cannot help developing new software - The request is not clearly explained - Any other reason making the request difficult to understand ---------------------------------------------------- 8 - Can I be useful to AID maintaining work? By sending feedback (see question 5) you can be very useful to the hard maintaining work needed by this project. AID has no sense if it is not regularly updated. You can also become a maintainer of the archive, in this case contact me for more information. ---------------------------------------------------- 9 - Is there a browser for the AID Database? Actually there is not any dedicated AID browser, although AID standard for the rich-ascii format file follows the "Product-info" guidelines used in Fred Fish collections, and should be browsed by "Kingfisher" utility, available on Aminet and Fish collection. If you want to develope a dedicated browser, you're certainly very welcome! :) ---------------------------------------------------- 10- Is AID freely redistributable? AID archive and documentation are FULLY redistributable stuff, spreading them is appreciated very much, but PLEASE don't upload AID files where they're already regularly updated by archive maintainers, such as Aminet sites, Amiga newsgroups and other official sites. ---------------------------------------------------- 11- Is feedback welcome?? Feedback is not just welcome, it's absolutely necessary! :) AID future and distribution ways will depend on received feedback, and may change following users needs. Send any kind of request/info/suggestion/criticism to my addresses: email: lcs@zen.it (Subject must start with "AID:") snail-mail: Lorenzo Colloreta Via A.Calugi 9 - loc.Pontelungo 51030 Pistoia ITALY phone : ++39 573 572058 ---------------------------------------------------- APPENDIX A: Request forms - ATTENTION: In order to write and send an AID request form you should read the official full documentation (see question 3). - INSTRUCTIONS: select the correct form you need, according to information you want to send us, cut the text between the "cut here" markers and edit/delete the comment lines starting with "#". Fields with [++] in comment line may accept MORE than one line, other fields must contain less than 71 chars on a single line. Include it in a mail message and post it to lcs@zen.it ("Subject" must start with "AID-request"). Thank you. ** FORM TO POST A SOFTWARE REQUEST (IDEA) -----CUT HERE---------------------------- @IDEA .FROM #insert your full name here .EMAIL #insert your email address here (if any) .SHORT #program description in ONE line (70 chars) .FULL #full program description [++] #Optional fields, remove the field if you don't use it .MAIL #contact addresses different from email [++] .TITLE #supposed title, just for easy searching and linking .DIFFICULTY #Supposed difficulty. from 0 (easy) to 10 (hardest) .TYPE #Type of software (see doc) .SIMILAR #similar existing softwares [++] .FEATURES #all main desired features [++] .NOTES #Whatever you may want to say [++] .LINKS #If any, links to other previous AID requests [++] -----CUT HERE---------------------------- **FORM TO POST INFO ABOUT EXISTING SOFTWARE -----CUT HERE---------------------------- @INFO .FROM #insert your full name here .EMAIL #insert your email address here (if any) .IDLINK #insert ID number(s) of related AID item(s) separated by #comma .SIMILAR #all info about similar software (even commercial), possibly #with downloading information (URL/filename) [++] #Optional fields, remove the field if you don't use it .NOTES #Whatever you may want to say [++] .MAIL #contact addresses different from email [++] -----CUT HERE---------------------------- **FORM TO POST ANSWERS TO REQUESTED SOFTWARE -----CUT HERE---------------------------- @ANSWER .FROM #insert your full name here .EMAIL #insert your email address here (if any) .IDLINK #insert ID number of related AID item .ANSWER #answer to request (eg. "I'm developing it!") [++] #Optional fields, remove the field if you don't use it .NOTES #Whatever you may want to say [++] .MAIL #contact addresses different from email [++] -----CUT HERE---------------------------- -THE END--------------------------------------- This FAQ text is freely redistributable and spreading is highly appreciated. I hope you will enjoy this idea. Thanks. Lorenzo Colloreta -----------------------------------------Enjoy!