Evolution of the 'Red Book' - From (paper) rags to riches

摘要

Each summer, Academic and Research Computing (ARC) produces a guide for Mobile Computing Program participants describing the specifics of the selected laptop computer and providing a general introduction to computing at Rensselaer. The guide has evolved over the last few years from a red loose-leaf binder of printed pages (hence the name, "Red Book") to an online series of web pages. This year, we made the decision to use the Luwak technology, presented and well received at last year's conference, to create the guide making it an easy-to-use tool for the students in addition to facilitating staff editing and updating. The Luwak technology is currently used by ARC for the Help Desk web site (j2ee.rpi.edu/helpdesk) where the student consultants can add their hints and tips quickly and easily. This was explained in a paper I presented at last year's conference. This paper will discuss how the new format will create an improved "Computing at Rensselaer/Red Book" guide and, in a more general way, how the Luwak technology is changing ARC documentation.