[freeside] Couple of Questions

Tue Mar 7 08:44:18 PST 2000

On Tue, Mar 07, 2000 at 08:18:36AM -0800, Jim Scott wrote:
> One could easily create two sets of documentation that are specific to each
> type of SQL that the software supports.

Currently I only support two SQL engines, but the Perl DBI/DBD interface
I'm using supports dozens and I'd like to add support for more.  I don't
think it is practical to maintain a separate documentation set for each.

> I think the goal should be to make it as easy as possible for anyone to
> be able to install your software. Since your software requires many
> different applications then the goal I would think would be to make
> installing those required software pieces as easy as possible as well
> so as to avoid problems with the installation of your product.

I agree with the goal.  However I feel the best way to do this is not to
duplicate other packages' documentation.  When I'm installing something
that is documented like this, I *don't* find it easier that the
documentation for the package I'm installing is buried in lots of
duplicate documentation for other packages.

> Call it a tutorial or a help document. I think the goal is the same. Get
> freeside billing software installed and working.

I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from writing such a thing; I'm trying to
make clear my goals for the current documentation I've written so people
can decide if their goals are compatible. 

> Also what about a perl script that a person would access after making sure
> all the components that are required are installed that would walk a user
> thru a serious of questions that would then setup the database, company
> information etc...
> 
> I found a great piece of software called UltraBoard. Was fantastic and easy
> to setup. Access a perl script asks you a serious of questions. Shows you if
> all checks out and you are done.
> 
> This would be a nice to see in your software as well.

Great idea, but not my current focus, personally.  Code is far more likely
to help than vapour.  :)

> Jim
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "ivan" <ivan at 420.am>
> To: <ivan-freeside at sisd.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 7:52 AM
> Subject: Re: [freeside] Couple of Questions
> 
> 
> > Hmm... it seems you're looing for two things I specifically wanted to
> > avoid - documentation specific to a particular SQL engine and duplicating
> > documentation of other packages rather than linking to them.
> >
> > If there's a desire for this sort of thing, I think it would be best done
> > separately from the current documentation, perhaps as a "tutorial" as
> > that's not my goal with the current docs.
> >
> > On Tue, Mar 07, 2000 at 07:45:04AM -0800, Jim Scott wrote:
> > > I would love to see something like this. That is the problem with allot
> this
> > > type of software is you must jump around to find out how to install each
> > > piece. Would be nice to see a document like Kirk lists below that
> explains
> > > each step that is required to install this software. I even like more
> that
> > > it is a specific type of install IE...  MySql
> > >
> > > Email it to me when you are done!!
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > Jim
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Kirk Moore" <kmoore at aa.net>
> > > To: <ivan-freeside at sisd.com>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 6:20 AM
> > > Subject: RE: [freeside] Couple of Questions
> > >
> > >
> > > > Ivan....
> > > >
> > > > I have entered one customer. Under the browse feature, customer (by
> > > customer
> > > > number), should that one customer be visible.
> > > >
> > > > on a side note, I am going to get a rough draft to the list early next
> > > week
> > > > on installation instructions.
> > > >
> > > > I have a tentative breakdown as follows:
> > > >
> > > > Installation using MySql
> > > > a) perl modules needed
> > > > b) getting the source
> > > > c) installing
> > > > d) configuring for the first time
> > > > a) how to configure MySql
> > > > b) creating the database
> > > > c) creating the mapsecrets file
> > > > d) creating the configuration directory
> > > > a) files that belong within this directory
> > > > e) What's required before the first customer can be entered
> > > > a) service definition
> > > > b) Package definition
> > > > c) agent types
> > > > d) agents
> > > > e) referrals
> > > > f) Dumping the data base and starting over
> > > > g) gleaned troubleshooting tips from the archive.
> > > >
> > > > Is there anything that you can see that I have missed or suggestions.
> I am
> > > > going to start with the Documentation that you created. I will added
> > > > sections on Radius, and FS_Signup as we go.
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Kirk Moore
> > > > Renton, Wa
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Black Holes are created when God divides by zero
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: ivan [mailto:ivan at 420.am]
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 5:35 AM
> > > > To: ivan-freeside at sisd.com
> > > > Subject: Re: [freeside] Couple of Questions
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > If you haven't entered any customers, that's the correct response.
> > > > (Importing legacy accounts does not create customer records)
> > > >
> > > > On Tue, Mar 07, 2000 at 05:32:14AM -0800, Kirk Moore wrote:
> > > > > Ivan;
> > > > >
> > > > > I enter freeside... Go to section Browse and select customer (by
> > > customer
> > > > > number) this is the error I receive... Maybe normal... but I am
> > > > > wondering....
> > > > >
> > > > > Error processing your request
> > > > > Your request could not be processed because of the following error:
> > > > > No matching customers found!
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Kirk Moore
> > > > > Renton, Wa
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Black Holes are created when God divides by zero
> > > > >
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > From: ivan [mailto:ivan at 420.am]
> > > > > Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 2:42 AM
> > > > > To: ivan-freeside at sisd.com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [freeside] Couple of Questions
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On Mon, Mar 06, 2000 at 06:24:30PM -0800, Kirk Moore wrote:
> > > > > > Ok....
> > > > > >
> > > > > > What is the easiest way to dump the data and start over... Also I
> have
> > > a
> > > > > > couple of questions...
> > > > >
> > > > > Drop and recreate the freeside database.  You can
> > > > >   rm /usr/local/etc/freeside/counter.<datasource>/*
> > > > > if you want the counters to reset also, but it isn't required.
> > > > >
> > > > > > 1) When I go to the browse section.. I get nothing on the customer
> > > > > > lookups... but I get info on the userid lookup.
> > > > >
> > > > > I'd speculate that you have users in your database, but no
> customers.
> > > > > Without a more precise description of your problem, of course, I can
> > > offer
> > > > > very little assistance.
> > > > >
> > > > > > 2) When adding packages, when do you chose them, and assign to the
> > > > > > customer...
> > > > >
> > > > > On the customer view, you select "Order and cancel packages".
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > meow
> > > > > _ivan
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > meow
> > > > _ivan
> > > >
> > >
> >
> > --
> > meow
> > _ivan
> 

-- 
meow
_ivan