User:Bunny-crunch/Character suite development checklist

After putting together a few characters suites, and considering possibilities for a few more, it made sense to make a list of different parts of the process.

Note that this is not a sequential process. Many of the items listed can happen in different orders, and in multiple iterations. I've tried to organize them into groups, to be easier to approach methodically. Not every item will be applicable for every character suite.

Gather information

• How?
  • post in DP forums
  • PM "experts"
  • internet research
• Identify characters
• Find Unicode code points

Initial arranging

• Group characters into suites
• Organize into pickersets
• Evaluate usefulness of characters

Refinement

• Ask for feedback from DP community
• Look for usage in books at PG, and in the rounds at DP
• Research detailed character usage
• Order and arrange subgroups in pickers
• Consider proofer viewpoint (ease of understanding, avoid ambiguity)

Font detail

• Is each character available in DejaVu Sans Mono?
• Is glyph in DP Sans Mono suitablty distinct for proofreading?

Documentation and technical details

• create draft in sandbox
• choose pickerset names and menu tile characters
• Does suite usage require change to guidelines?
• Are there any technical display issues? (eg. RTL text, variation selectors, casing irregularities)
• Does suite introduce a new script?

Final stages

• Tryout suite on test site
• Give public notice of final draft (this is last chance for feedback and suggestions)
• Make any final changes
• Update documentation in wiki
• Roll out new suite on Prod