I've been told for numerous releases that Infragistics was going to beef up their documentation (as it used to be for releases years ago) and it has yet to be changed. I've provided samples over and over of things that should be easy to do (and are once you figure out the magical method that isn't documented) but aren't listed in the help file because it's automatically generated using a tool that only lists classes without examples, or decent usage examples, or even context for usage.
I'd like to challenge Infragistics to either live up to their word on the documentation OR hire a developer that has never used their controls before and have that developer try to create a robust site with both server-side and client-side code, using their controls AND only able to get information from the documenation/help file.
I don't think it can be done, or easily done at the very least. Not without having to constantly turn to the forums, or simply pulling one's hair out.
Docs are important, and so forums is.
I strongly advise your developers spend half a day once a week to support this forum.
So not only you, but your colleagues will hear users' voices.
Your products are good, customer service and support are not enough.
Aspose, my another software vendor, they really do a good job in customer care.
revbones and NervousRex:
Thanks for taking the time to post here to let us know how you feel about our docs, samples and forums.
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Craig Shoemaker and I have recently taken on the position of Product Guidance Manager. Inside Infragistics the Product Guidance (PG) department is responsible for our docs, samples, startup solutions and any other deliverable that our customers use to learn our products.
Rest assured your frustration and concerns have not fallen on deaf ears; we are listening to you and are in the midst of a fundamental change in the way PG writes and presents content to our customers. You’re right that you’ve been told for years that, “things will change in the docs” and release after release you’ve seen the same result. Let me say, though, that our 11.1 release features a distinct departure from how we’ve approached our docs and samples in the past. Internally we’ve changed the way each department interacts with PG in order to make sure the coverage of our docs is more complete. Further, we are unveiling new and easier ways of accessing content in our docs. Finally, our quality control standards and checks are at levels higher than ever before.
I would love to have a chance to chat with the both of you over the phone if you would like. I’d really like to hear any other ways you think we can improve.
Either way 11.1 is the release where you’ll see significant change!
Best,
Craig Shoemaker
Product Guidance Manager951.310.4496cshoemaker@infragistics.com
I agree, the documentation is lacking. And the forums feel like a wasteland, many posts never get an answer. And many of the questions asked could easily have been avoided with a more robust examples area.