[R] Writing R packages in an easier way?

[Dr. Michael Wolf]

Dear R colleagues,

is there an easier way to write R packages for the own use - without RTools and TeX?

With R versions < 2.10.0 it was very easy to write a package. Under the path 
with the package name you wrote a description file and built some directories 
like "help", "html" and "R" with the special files in a "hand-operated" way. In 
the next step I constructed the MD5 check sum file with a program like 
"md5summer". Packing the directory with a zipper - and the package work was 
finished.

Ok, this was not the official way. And now (R versions > 2.10.0) this method 
will not be successful and R doesn't accept those packages. But just for me the 
official rules writing a package cost a lot of time if I look to the result I 
get. My functions are very specific and have something to do with several 
computers I use. So I have not the intention to upload this package to CRAN.
 From the point of the costs e. g. I had to learn writing help files in a 
TeX-like language. But I'm the typical Word user. My last TeX writings were done 
in the 1990s! If I'm changing only a letter in a source file (r-file or help 
file) I've to build a new package. Seeing the results in my eyes this is a very 
expansive way. It's easier to me to write those files in HTML and to change the 
HTML source code. I don't need help files in Rd format.

Does anyone know a easier way? If not just a question to the members of the R 
Development Core Team: Could you imagine to open an alternative way of writing 
packages? Is it possible to that new versions of R will again accept the build 
of packages like in R versions < 2.10.0? Don't misunterstand me: I absolutely 
agree that R packages which should become part of CRAN must obey to official 
rules like described in the manuals. But I think you can controll this while 
uploading a package to CRAN. In my eyes an alternative, easier way writing a R 
package would help first-time users and typical MS Word damaged people like me.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Greetings from Muenster/Germany

Dr. Michael Wolf
(E-Mail: m-wolf at muenster.de)