Can docbook and mallard co-exit? Yes - a proof of concept

[Kyle Nitzsche]

Shaun McCance wrote:
> On Mon, 2010-01-25 at 21:49 -0500, Kyle Nitzsche wrote:
>   
>> I suggested that mallard (brilliant, incomplete) enables anyone who can 
>> package to add content to Ubuntu Help Center. And I observed that users 
>> have no way of knowing whether content was official or was added by such 
>> means. And that some such mallard content could be wrong in various and 
>> unknown ways. Therefore,  mallard is not (yet) appropriate for Ubuntu 
>> system docs until this (at least) is resolved.
>>     
>
> Phil did bring this issue to gnome-doc-list:
>
> http://mail.gnome.org/archives/gnome-doc-list/2010-January/msg00065.html
>
> And I did reply with some thoughts:
>
> http://mail.gnome.org/archives/gnome-doc-list/2010-January/msg00076.html
>
> The short of it is, I think it's entirely possible to develop
> a link signature system to accomplish what you want.  In fact,
> I played around with this Sunday.  If I have time this week,
> I'd like to get back to it and send a proof of concept.
>
>   
That sounds great.
> But it's important to note that packages can override DocBook
> documentation today.  Your system docs aren't nearly as safe
> as you think they are.  If somebody really wants to get around
> link signatures in Mallard, they can circumvent them using the
> same technique they can use to override DocBook documents.
>   
You cite three possible ways that system docs can be overridden and also 
acknowledge that only number 3) is likely: mallard. I agree.
> I think link signatures are an interesting idea that are worth
> developing.  I also think you're making a showstopper out of
> something that hasn't shown itself to be a real problem.
>
>   
Honestly, I want many millions of people to use Ubuntu. That means it 
has to be good. Let's make it so. I will help as much as I am able.

Cheers,
Kyle