Hi, 1. I would like to discuss more at large the "Human understanding (UX)" topic. I tried a while ago but I guess an email list is not the proper channel to have such discussions (that's why I propose the 2nd issue: a "Forum")
NOTE: when I talk about UX, I talk about user experience, NOT UI, user interface. I will give it a try again to touch on the "Human understanding (UX)" topic, on an email list. My intention is to draw the attention on : a) The idea of building tools for the *general public* (vs techies), which is dictating the direction (and decisions) for the whole project b) Prioritizing a)The idea of building tools for the *general public* (vs techies) is part of the official Freedombox Mission: "3.Make it easier for anyone to install, configure, and start using self-hosted services." (for the honorable reason "Why", read the "Vision" https://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/Vision). To illustrate the problem I think Freedombox project has regarding "Human understanding (UX)", I will use only one example (out of many): -I followed the manual to install dynamicDNS(GnuDIP) and it seemed to work. BUT, the manual never mentioned that I also have to configure my router for freedombox to actually *be usable* (access the box from outside). Most *people* use routers at home, so configuring the router is one of the most important parts for using freedombox, and that is not reflected in the instructions for installing and *using* dynamicDNS. I found in "Questions And Answers" what imho it should have been mentioned(at least linked to) in the manual: "How to configure my router in case of dynamic DNS?". BUT, even here, things are not clear: how one does steps 1, 3 and 4? (if not explained, at least linked to some tutorials). https://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/QuestionsAndAnswers This example might be seen just as a documentation problem or it can be seen as, what I think it is, a deeper problem, one of understanding human beings (the "general public"). I say this because I'm part of the "general public" and I'm amassed that in 7 years since the Fredombox project exists, no one took into consideration that *most people* run a router in their home, therefore is important to document "running FreedomBox behind a router" (see TO DO list https://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/Manual/TODO";). b) Prioritizing As I said in the beginning, "[Human understanding (UX)] is dictating the direction (and decisions) for the whole project". By looking at the applications in Freedombox, it seems that developers found more important to have 2 torrent applications(instead of one - for now), or support for games, instead following the Mission they setup for themselves and respecting the Vision of the project (document such a crucial part of using the fredombox: "running FreedomBox behind a router" - see TO DO list https://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/Manual/TODO";). I think it's pretty clear by now that, at least in the case I presented above, the problem is not with poor documentation (which will be easily dismissed by the "it's a volunteer based project" argument), but it's a deeper problem, with "human understanding" (general public's needs) and true dedication and actually respect to the Mission and Vision, the project setup for itself. I can only assume that it's a huge amount of work to build what Freedombox has build and planned to build in the future, but if the approach is not a mature one (having multiple choices for torrent applications before having a smooth, complete setup of the server itself), everyone will loose...beside Google and Facebook. 2. Forum I think, at least for a new person, it's easier to grasp the project's pulse in a forum than in an email list (because the way it's displaying the information). And also easier to have ampler discussions, which can be beneficial at a conceptual level (not only at technical level). Hopefully this feedback will help. Please let me know if I can contribute to the wiki(or some other freedombox content) with something related to the above points. All the best _______________________________________________ Freedombox-discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.alioth.debian.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/freedombox-discuss
