Wikibooks:Requests for deletion/Gmail

Gmail
This book was speedied a few days ago by Paul Lynch. I think at the vey minimum it can be merged into several other books and would like to hear the views of others. --hagindaz 16:23, 4 June 2006 (UTC)


 * delete. It appears that at some time the same content was available at http://gmailwiki.com/ - I have read that how-to books are to stay in Wikibooks(am I right?), but this book is somewhat short, and might be more widely used somewhere like http://www.wikihow.com . Books like this and How to make biodiesel are more 'how-to guides' than books- there just isn't enough content. DettoAltrimenti 00:56, 6 June 2006 (UTC)
 * WikiHow uses an noncommercial (therefore non-free) license that is incompatible with Wikibooks. --Kernigh 17:50, 12 June 2006 (UTC)


 * Keep. Guides on how to use existing peices of software are acceptable. I dont know if gmail is still considered to be in "beta" stage or not (the logo i think still contains the word "beta"), so that might be an area of contention. If the book forks material that is available elsewhere, I don't think that's an issue so long as the other source isn't a wikimedia project. Strictly speaking, since everything on wikibooks must be verifiable, all this information is duplicated from other sources. I dont think this one needs to be deleted, but it does need to be cleaned up. --Whiteknight (talk) (projects) 23:39, 7 June 2006 (UTC)


 * Comment There is a larger situation, which is whether or not it is okay for Wikibooks to have software manuals. The computer and video game guides that we have been deleting are actually software manuals. Sometimes I think that Wikibooks should accept textbooks about programming interfaces (OpenGL, GTK+, ...), languages (C++, Ada, SQL, XML, ...) and certification (MSCE, LPIC, ...) but not manuals for how to use operating systems, application software, or computer games. I have not decided whether it is good or not to follow this "slippery slope", but the debates over "Rip a karaoke cd", "FAQ for alt.internet.wireless", and now Gmail suggest that we are already starting down. --Kernigh 17:50, 12 June 2006 (UTC)


 * Comment Schools in general do teach how to use particular operating systems and software programs. For instance, business curricula across the country teach students how to effectively use Microsoft Office and other productivity software. Teaching how to effectively use a mail client is in the same vein. Using a piece of productivity software is distinctly different from playing a game, even if you are sitting in the same chair, at the same computer for both. Learning how to effectively use gmail doesnt raise any legality issues, can be taught in an accredited institution, and should be here on wikibooks. It's not a slippery slope, it's a line in the sand: Some peices of software fit, some dont. The hardpart, admittedly, is determining which ones stay and which ones go. I say Gmail should stay. --Whiteknight (talk) (projects) 17:56, 12 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Gee, that seems reasonable. We have to keep things like Gmail if we want to teach business students. --Kernigh 03:02, 21 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Even if you have no respect for a particular field of study, that doesnt mean that there aren't students out there, studying that field, and in need of free learning materials. --Whiteknight (talk) (projects) 17:34, 25 June 2006 (UTC)


 * Delete I think Google has a very strong help system already and this book is being somewhat a repeat of that. -Matt 02:24, 16 June 2006 (UTC)
 * I would not accept this reason for deletion unless Google was giving a free license (like the GNU Free Documentation License) for their help, allowing me to copy, modify, reuse, and sell their help. --Kernigh 02:58, 21 June 2006 (UTC)


 * Comment It appreas that most of the material in the book is available or can be included in the Wikipedia Features of Gmail page. In which case the material is redundant. Also the material included here can be accessed easily on the Gmail Help page which is expected to be more upto date ;), but I don't think that this should be the reason to delete this book. Many softwares come with extensive help, but users still need a starting point to learn it. Though it should be noted that Gmail provides a nice flash video which covers most of the features. -- 10:48, 29 June 2006 (UTC)


 * Keep A textbook on how to use Gmail is within our scope, Jguk 20:46, 2 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Keep I can see definitely see this being used (when finished) as a text as part of a computing course. I don't see why wikibooks shouldn't have software manuals of the sort that would be used in education.  This isn't a game guide and it isn't an isolated how-to (like "Rip a karaoke CD") --Irrevenant 12:09, 7 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Keep To those who say it is small, it will expand, and to those who say it is useless, it is better than 3 days of googling for the answer to some questions here. --Illnab1024 @ wikipedia.

Kept. I will archive this discussion in 1 week. --Whiteknight (talk) (projects) 16:32, 22 August 2006 (UTC)