Update main project README

[mkaz]

This is the first part of updating the Gutenberg docs to match the current state, I'm going to submit as separate PRs so it focuses discussion for each piece. The Contributors Handbook is the second part for updates.

Description

Update the main project repository readme with various updates that bring it current for now and down the line.

First organized it into a more general getting started recognizing the three levels that people might be coming to the project: as a User, as a Developer, and as a Contributor

For User - added links to the user documentation, support forums, and how to report an issue

For Developer - added links to the developer documentation

For Contributor - simplified the contributor sections and links to the contributors' guide

I removed the links at the bottom since those are mostly dated from when the project was starting out and justifying itself. These links can be included elsewhere for background and context, and not necessarily on the welcoming page.

Types of changes

Documentation.

You can view the rendered version on the branch here

[youknowriad]

Do you think we should do a similar rewrite for readme.txt as well (WordPress repo)

[michelleweber]

Just one note:

Get hands on with the block editor, check out the Block Editor live demo

We should be consistent with how "block editor" is capitalized (or not). Otherwise, looks good!

[mkaz]

Good suggestion @youknowriad, I updated the plugin readme with similar content.

[youknowriad]

This is looking good to me but I'd appreciate validation from others. Thoughts @jasmussen

[jasmussen]

I'm out with a sore throat today, but will take a look first thing in the morning, unless this damn throat keeps me bedside! :D

[jasmussen]

Left a bunch of comments but the important one is the first paragraph in both the Github MD and the plugin TXT.

In my opinion that first paragraph should:

• Explain that "Gutenberg" is a codename for the WordPress block editor
• Explain this is a plugin to test bleeding edge block editor features
• Explain what the project and the block editor hopes to achieve, the goals
• Be a little less "we've done it, welcome to the future" and a little more "we're working on it, come help us".

@michelleweber I see you've already helped out. Might we kindly ask for help on that first paragraph? Thank you!

Overall, excellent work, thanks so much for doing this.

Oh, and let's include a better screenshot:

• It's high res
• It includes a browser window sans extensions to help add context
• It hides the sidebar and no blocks are selected, providing for a less "work in progress" feel
• It uses the 2020 theme
• I even manually changed the max-width of blocks so as to not have an orphan in the text.

We will very likely want to update that screenshot many times in the future, but until then, the above one is better :)

[michelleweber]

@jasmussen, what about something like:

Welcome to the development hub for the WordPress Gutenberg project!

"Gutenberg" is a codename for a whole new paradigm in WordPress site building and publishing, one that will revolutionize the publishing experience as much as Gutenberg did the printed word. Right now, the project is in the first phase of a four-phase process that will touch every piece of WordPress -- Editing, Customization, Collaboration, and Multilingual -- and is focused on a new editing experience, the block editor.

The block editor introduces a modular approach to pages and posts: each piece of content in the editor, from a paragraph to an image gallery to a headline, is its own block. And just like physical blocks, WordPress blocks can added, arranged, and rearranged, allowing WordPress users to create media-rich pages in a visually intuitive way -- and without work-arounds like shortcodes or custom HTML.

The block editor first became available in December 2018, and we're still hard at work refining the experience, creating more and better blocks, and laying the groundwork for the next three phases of work. The Gutenberg plugin gives you the latest version of the block editor so you can join us in testing bleeding-edge features, start playing with blocks, and maybe get inspired to build your own.

[jasmussen]

Thank you Michelle, your words are wonderful.

Perhaps I'm being overlay Danish (jantelov and so on), but could we change this:

one that will revolutionize

to this

aims to revolutionize

?

[mkaz]

@jasmussen Be Danish. I adjusted the text 👍

[jasmussen]

Denmark underrepresent! The revolution will be careful!

[michelleweber]

I fully support this injection of Danishness.

[chrisvanpatten]

Small nits but I think this is basically ready to go!

[chrisvanpatten]

Looks great to me!