[consulting] Drupal considerd dangerous

[Bill Fitzgerald]

Hello, all,

Some thoughts interspersed below --

Gerhard Killesreiter wrote:
> Evan Leibovitch wrote:
>   
>> Kieran Lal wrote:
>>     
>>>> There are no qualifications or "it's not always the best choice" type
>>>> honest comments anywhere to be found.
>>>>         
Different people have different needs -- it's virtually impossible to 
create a general statement that will successfully address an infinite 
number of hypothetical specifics.
>>>>     
>>>>         
>>> By targeting specific uses we tried to highlight it's strengths.   
>>> Highlighting weaknesses is not very useful as it's frequently the  
>>> limitations of the users ability to use a tool that are the real  
>>> weakness.
>>>   
>>>       
>> Well, there we have it: "There are no weaknesses in Drupal, just 
>> weaknesses in users' ability to master it."
>>
>> You have me at a loss for words, I honestly have no answer to something 
>> so incredibly arrogant.
>>     
A little over the top, neh? I think that all of us have experienced 
PEBKAC. Acknowledging that reality isn't arrogant, it's acknowledging 
reality. Kieran has also done A LOT of work at making Drupal more 
friendly for new users --
>
> And I haven't even said anything yet. .p
>   
And I'm still waiting :)
>   
>>>> Small businesses are explicitly mentioned as a target group for whom
>>>> Drupal is the right answer.
>>>> In fact, the page offers no realistic appraisal of what Drupal doesn't
>>>> do well, which is also what people coming to such a page are  
>>>> looking for.
>>>>     
>>>>         
>>> What do you suggest?
>>>   
>>>       
>> The kind of honesty that Bill suggested. An acknowledgement that Drupal 
>> isn't for everyone, and a frank analysis of its advantages and 
>> drawbacks.
>>     
>
> The problem is that it is hard to see what is an advantage for somebody 
> and what a drawback. It might be reversed for somebody else.
>   
Yup.
>   
>> Respect for users' intelligence rather than contempt.
>> Emphasis on understanding what users need, rather than what you expect 
>> of them.
>>     
>
> Users often don't understand what they need, how should we?
>
> I think the page in question is rather well written. For most of the 
> examples given it is listed that you need site-developer skills.
>
> I'd however take out the blogging example. Drupal is not for bloggers. 
> These people expect a turn-key solution which Drupal currently does not 
> offer. Maybe it could be changed to "corporate blogging" or "group 
> blogging" and given a higher level of expertise needed.
>   
FWIW, I like the page -- it's pretty well written, and clearly states 
that a level of expertise is needed to use Drupal.

Now, it's time to get back to work -- I work at a start-up, and I'm 
trying to sort out this really dangerous CMS ;)

Cheers,

Bill

-- 
Bill Fitzgerald
http://www.funnymonkey.com
Tools for Teachers
503.897.7160