Re: [opensuse-project] statements from the debate that are relevant to me:
Per Jessen 12/07/12 1:14 PM >>> History is filled with dead companies that didn't listen to their users. Distros only exist for their users, I don't think distros are likely to get away with ignoring that risk. Just an observation.
I don't think anyone is suggesting we ignore the needs of our users, but we are talking about sometimes highly technical, bleeding edge stuff - that is part of the pleasure of working on FOSS, being able to push the boundaries and solve those issues that effect you, the contributor, but no one else has cared enough about to fix yet - the one reason we're all here is to scratch particular itches we have with the alternatives out there. In such a circumstance, the contributors doing the work are likely to know more about the situation than the users. That's not to say that the contributors are not going to welcome user feedback, in fact it's often vital, but ultimately it is, and should be, down to the contributor to decide what they do. The challenge there is to bring the users along for the journey. We need to get them to understand why the decision was made, let them see how much of their feedback you did embrace and why others didn't fit your vision and in some cases give them the choice not to use the wonderful new thing your contributions bring to the table If the users still aren't happy, then my answer to them would be "fine, do it yourself", and I think we have a part to play in making that as easy as possible for them to do - after all, new ideas is what keeps all of this moving forward, but ultimately someone needs to be prepared to do the work. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-project+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, email: opensuse-project+owner@opensuse.org
Richard Brown wrote:
Per Jessen 12/07/12 1:14 PM >>> History is filled with dead companies that didn't listen to their users. Distros only exist for their users, I don't think distros are likely to get away with ignoring that risk. Just an observation.
I don't think anyone is suggesting we ignore the needs of our users, but we are talking about sometimes highly technical, bleeding edge stuff - that is part of the pleasure of working on FOSS, being able to push the boundaries and solve those issues that effect you, the contributor, but no one else has cared enough about to fix yet - the one reason we're all here is to scratch particular itches we have with the alternatives out there.
Absolutely, I agree. I don't think anyone is suggesting we ignore the needs of our users (apart from Henne perhaps), but I do think we need to improve our listening skills, and pay more attention to our users' needs and issues. Every time we make a change, we ought to at least consider when & how it will impact the user. user = end-user and admin, btw.
In such a circumstance, the contributors doing the work are likely to know more about the situation than the users. That's not to say that the contributors are not going to welcome user feedback, in fact it's often vital, but ultimately it is, and should be, down to the contributor to decide what they do.
As long as he doesn't lose track of which user problem he is ultimately trying to solve. -- Per Jessen, Zürich (-1.4°C) http://www.dns24.ch/ - free DNS hosting, made in Switzerland. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-project+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, email: opensuse-project+owner@opensuse.org
participants (2)
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Per Jessen -
Richard Brown