[jglauche]

I know that you want to sell your support, but I really find that your website and your open source documentation is lacking documentation.

- Purchasing a kit from the button on top of the page (I assume it's a kit - although the sale button does not say that), it does not say anything about the contents included (apart from the picture I've seen somewhere on the blog), nor the required size, nor where in the world you ship it, nor if shipping is included or how much it is extra. Way down the page I see something about that you'll help to set it up for people in NC Suggestion: Link to the description below where you state more information about what's inside

- When you make statements like " A well-run AutoMicroFarm will produce enough vegetables and fish to pay for itself in six months." - I want to see data!

- The open source documentation should include drawing and layout examples of your product to be more complete

- There's unfortunately no information about what if you want to expand your construction. What's the maximum planting area size for the size of the fish tank/amount of fish?

- You should think about selling individual components - especially those that are not commonly available in hardware stores

I'd offer my services for documentation and fixing the website, but I fear that I'd need to play with it myself in order to understand things better - and I cannot go to NC because I don't feel safe going there being a transsexual.

[jacquesm]

> I know that you want to sell your support, but I really find that your website and your open source documentation is lacking documentation.

There has to be a way to present HN with a gift without someone going to extremes to make it come out negative.

I'm not sure if you're doing this on purpose or not but this open sourcing of the plans seems to be in response to the original launch of the product where people were complaining about the price of the kit, and could they please have the plans instead.

[jglauche]

Sorry, don't get me wrong: But in order get get things fixed, they need to be pointed out (and that's the point of posting things to HN, right?).

I've worked on many open hardware projects the past 6 years. Documentation is a huge problem with the majority of open hardware projects.

So what makes a good open hardware documentation?

My first measure for that is "is the documentation good enough so I can acquire all the materials for building it on the other side of the world".

My second measure is "is the documentation good enough for getting me started without wasting a lot of money on trial and error".

My third measure is "is the software or other important information still up to date".

[jacquesm]

> My first measure for that is "is the documentation good enough so I can acquire all the materials for building it on the other side of the world".

> My second measure is "is the documentation good enough for getting me started without wasting a lot of money on trial and error".

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4SAAq6j3vXkUDU3OXh5cXk5OUk...

See for yourself, the first one seems to be covered, the second one is up to you.

> My third measure is "is the software or other important information still up to date".

It appears that yes, this is the case (since there is no software and what you consider 'important' might be a small inconsequential detail to me...).

So, can it be better? Yes, obviously, it is really fresh off the press by the looks of it.

Maybe one idea would be to put the documentation in Github as a markdown document, that way others could make pull requests if they have something useful to contribute.

[ph0rque]

Thanks for the kinds words, Jacques, but I really do realize the documentation can be improved, and I'll make is so.

Instead of github, I think I'll use readme.io for the documentation, at the suggestion of Rory with FarmBot.

[ph0rque]

Hi Jennifer,

Believe me, I'm not trying to release vague documentation in order to sell support. I'll be improving the website and the documentation in short order, based on the suggestions from people like yourself. My goal is for anyone to be able to buy the parts and install the AutoMicroFarm based only on the documentation. But that will take time.

I'll reply to your comment again when I have made improvements.

Thanks,

Andrew