on 1/7/01 2:19 PM, Armand Verstappen at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> This seems like an appropriate time to repost a link someone on this list
> posted some time before. Not even sure if it was this list, the URL is
> usefull at any rate.
>
> http://www.stsc.hill.af.mil/crosstalk/2000/jul/henderson.asp
Armand,
I did not read the complete article, but did grab a statement which I
believe should be highly considered:
> With the popularity of open-source programs growing, more and more new
> users will not be the same ones that have typically used open-source programs
> in the past [3]. Nor will they all be programmers. These new users will not
> become co-developers, except for testing, unless they want to learn how to
> program. However, they still want and need functionality, and need to be able
> to communicate that need to developers within the open-source community. Users
> can always join in discussions found in the pertinent newsgroups, but often
> discussions are so technical that they get lost or do not feel comfortable.
I am one of the "non-techie" users described above. I read the mail list
daily and am totally lost most of the time, but I still browse the messages.
I feel a bit out of place, but I also feel welcomed when I post my
questions. I wish I had more knowledge of Linux, php, mysql, and midgard,
but I don't. I'm a newbie, and I can't apologize.
The only thing that I can say to possibly give you developers any insight to
where folks like me are coming from is to simply state:
k e e p i t s i m p l e
a n d
m a k e i t w o r k !
What I mean by keeping it simple, is to make sure that the basic program
works flawlessly and that the user interface is so intuitive, that an end
user who only knows how to browse the web can make sense of the program. If
the user interface can't accomplish this, then a help system needs to be
accessible from the current displayed screen.
Here's an example. When I go to the Midgard web site I should see on the
index page links to the demo site, download page, help section, faq, and a
statement as to what the software does. The only things currently on the
main page is a link to the latest version, and a "Content Management"
heading with a statement about liscensing, and other applications. The other
links do not seem to show the demo site. I know its there somewhere, but if
I was a new visitor to the midgard site, I would be lost from the get go!
When I am considering software to install on my RaQ3, I look for what the
software does, then I head straight for the demo to see if it is easy to
use, and whether the program does what I am looking for. If it passes these
two simple tests, then I start looking for installation intructions, and
download site. Once I have successfully installed it, you've got me hooked!
I then start using the how-to's and join the mail list, and so forth.
So I hope that I am not coming across as being rude. I'm being honest, and I
hope that you guys understand that I really like what midgard is attempting
to do. If it wasn't for you techies, there would be no open source programs!
So thanks for all you have done to date, and I look forward to seeing and
experiencing the Midgard Way! I don't know if I can be of any help, but if I
can get through the 1.4 upgrade, and begin to learn what I can do with
Midgard, then I will be happy to help in my nontechie way ;-)
enrique
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