On Monday, October 25, 1999, Ali Martin wrote:
>> I think that the list members as a whole are probably not very
>> representative of the general user community and those who post even
>> less so.
> This is true in general. Although there are many who posts questions
> here, the nature of which would indicate that they aren't as computer
> oriented as you seem to imply.
Yes, of course, but I think that those with just a few questions,
probably don't hang around long. Who knows? My point was only that
postings to a user list are perhaps not the best guide of the wishes of
the entire userbase, much less the potential userbase. In general, I
think that, given the state of TB's Help file (english language,
anyway), few people who do not at least tend to be computer-oriented end
up adopting the program.
>> The other side of this argument is that the vast majority of users use,
>> will use, and probably need only a fraction of the capability of a
>> program. They don't need nor care about their software being master of
>> anything. They also don't think or care about "bloat".
> This again is true. I have tried to put this small point across to
> certain techies but their general reaction is that the 'don't need and
> don't care for technical functionality' mentality is borne of
> ignorance and unwillingness to learn rather than of a genuine desire
> or position, for that matter, based on rational reasoning.
This attitude towards users annoys me and is generally unhelpful, IMO.
Computers are still way too difficult to use and there is nothing wrong
with people who don't want to spend half their time learning how to use
them, diddling with settings, etc. But, no matter what the "techies"
think, it is inevitable that eventually this will change.
> Be that as it may, I don't see why The Bat! should be made to be like
> all the other products out there, especially if it's gaining a
> profitable userbase as is, with it's intended development roadmap as a
> specialized e-mail only client.
I wasn't suggesting this at all.
> I guess this is the crux of the matter and Ritlabs calls the shots.
Yes, it is and they do. It all depends on the target market.
> So, perhaps, plug-ins will deal nicely with the bloat issue, but not
> the issue of compromised mastery.
The plug-ins idea comes up alot with other software as well. Everyone
seems to think it is great, but I don't see it being adopted much in
significant software. I have no idea really, but perhaps it is not so
easy to implement. Then, there is the pricing issue. When you are
competing with "free" software, do you charge extra for a major plug-in
such as news reading capability?
--
Paula Ford
The Bat! 1.35 (reg)
Windows 95 4.0 Build 950
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