Re: vars naming scheme concerns
[=- Rado wrote on Fri 2.Jun'06 at 19:36:23 +0200 -=]
> [=- Thomas Roessler wrote on Fri 2.Jun'06 at 15:44:29 +0200 -=]
>
> > > Well, but then they (stable users) will meet the pain
> > > anyway.
> >
> > Those who use the things that have changed will meet the pain
> > anyway. With a new variable name scheme, basically everybody
> > will meet this pain, plus you invalidate a lot of advice that's
> > available online, just because it uses the old configuration
> > scheme.
>
> I see you are still pulling the "numbers" card.
>
> Let's see:
> - How many people _having_ customized configs will _not_ use
> "alternates"?
> - How many really hit with _extra_ config change does it take to
> block development?
Let's break this down even a little bit further.
- "mustfix": have config but not have "alternates" nor
"envelope_from".
- "dontfix": will stop upgrading or using mutt altogether because
of broken config.
- "cantfix": despite being willing to fix it and given
instructions, unable to fix.
- "rest": mustfix - (dontfix + cantfix)
Given users already have got a config somehow, this shows they
either were able to do basic changes or had somebody help them, so
cantfix tends to 0.
Given that mutt remains as valuable as before if not even becoming
more so due to additional features (e.g. header cache) and having
already spend some time to get a customized config, it's not very
likely people would deny a simple update to their (simple)
config and give up on mutt altogether. donfix, too, tends to 0.
This makes: cantfix + dontfix = permanent loss tends to 0.
Remains the "rest": those who always cry first before thinking
about it, but once the heat is over, quickly forget about it and
return to everyday joy of life with mutt.
If you believe "permanent loss" > 0, how many does it need to
block development?
How many "permanent losses" of potential users are acceptable, who
give up on mutt because they don't find what they are looking for
without being required to read the _whole_ manual?
(who once they are hooked up come to love mutt more and more every
day they use it, and learning more of its features incrementally)
If it's the "crying crowd" that bothers you just because of the
crying (flames, hate mail, ...), then you're irrational. Beware
what you ask for, because you might get it eventually:
campaigns of crying crowds flaming you with hate mail.
--
© Rado S. -- You must provide YOUR effort for your goal!
Even if it seems insignificant, in fact EVERY effort counts
for a shared task, at least to show your deserving attitude.