On 23-Nov-05, at 9:35 AM, Liza Sabater wrote:
On Nov 23 2005, at 04:55, Gerhard Killesreiter wrote:
You broke so many rules about market strategy, usability and software development, I can't even fathom how you came to the conclusion this was a good idea. Then again, yes, I can fathom the logic just by the discussion we are having here.
A discussion? You are biting the hand that codes your software. Very bad move.
No, I am not. I want to bring attention to what other people around the world are saying about you. And I am trying to do it in a way that starts a conversation that gives us all a positive outcome.
This is prefaced with an acknowledgment that there are valid points from all parties (there are no "sides" here, just people talking). The use of attack language on both sides is troubling ("you" rather than "we")...we're all in this together, and can contribute different things. IMHO, this is not the right forum. These -- as much as you would like to think they are -- are not development issues (which this list is for), but rather community/marketing issues. The documentation list has a marketing sub-component, and at some point the consultants@drupal.org list will be up that will be more business and best practice oriented. I'm happy to discuss this further off-list.
To you as a developer this does not make sense. You are always on the lookout for better code.That's normal; it means you're coder. But for people who are looking at Drupal as a product to build a business infrastructure, it may well be the only way to go. And that means, right now, that there is no business support infrastructure for people looking at Drupal AS A PRODUCT and not a software development lab. It means that people like me have to stand and think ... hmmm ... what can I do to create a support infrastructure that will work for the next 18 months; all the while creating an "upgrade bridge" for OUR (not Drupal's) next upgrade.
Help build/fund the installer and updater, which should make things a lot easier for non-technical users. 4.6 is never abandoned, it just doesn't get new features. If your business roadmap includes a need for certain features, consider setting aside funding for these. I admit I am confused about the perceived need to upgrade existing sites? I used to routinely skip upgrades (e.g. 4.0 --> 4.2 --> 4.4).
Do you get where I am coming from? So, I need to be in here to understand your process as an outsider because Gerhard Killesreiter at this moment, does not seem to have the business objectivity to answer these questions. I mean, c'mon, you're releases are coming out every 4-6 months. That's insane for people in the real world. Whatever happened to the 12-18 months for new releases? There is so much that could be done just in UI in between releases that, honestly, why are you rushing to the next decimal?
Again, the pertinent question : Is Drupal a product or a software development lab?
Neither. It is most like Ruby on Rails -- a web application framework. The framework doesn't care about users...that is up to individual consultants, developers, and yes, businesses. If the economics are there to have business support structures arise...they will arise. That is exactly why distributions -- whether CivicSpace, DrupalED, or anything else -- make sense. Communities can form on pushing and supporting products, rather than a toolkit. Drupal has gotten MORE framework-like over time, and less like a "product". Hope that was a useful contribution. That's all from me on the subject on this list. -- Boris Mann Vancouver 778-896-2747 San Francisco 415-367-3595 SKYPE borismann http://www.bryght.com