MEMORANDUM

TO:	Jim O'Dell
FROM:	Keith Corbett
DATE:	5-May-88
SUBJ:	My responsibilities for Documentation



Unless we can formally resolve some of the problems with the current
documentation situation, I feel that I must be absolved of all further
responsibility for documentation.

In the time since this responsibility was given to me at a K-machine
meeting two months ago, this responsibility has been nothing but an
exercise in frustration.  You are aware of the problems, but here is a
summary:

* After trying to get this company interested in solving the
documentation problems for almost a year, I was asked to write a plan to
do so.  Starting the documentation one year into the product development
process is frustrating, but then, LMI spent five years avoiding the
issue.

* I wrote the plan, and was told at our meeting in Canada that its
acceptance was contingent only on the "go / no-go" status of the
software engineering effort.  Since then, my plan has been in limbo;
according to Guy Chevalier, there is still no resolution, and I have not
been able to determine why the plan is not approved.

* I spent 6 weeks recruiting writers and working with agencies.  I found
two consultants who could have helped get the effort started very
quickly.  Because the plan is still in limbo, I have lost several
candidates. Also, I've lost credibility with the agencies that
specialize in documentation projects.

* I proposed that we replace the documentation system in Lowell (Botex,
on Capricorn) as quickly as possible.  Today, the ...(flame)