From kde-devel  Sun Jan 06 05:53:03 2008
From: "Joshua J. Berry" <des () condordes ! net>
Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2008 05:53:03 +0000
To: kde-devel
Subject: Re: KDE4, Ready to 11/01?
Message-Id: <200801052153.15018.des () condordes ! net>
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On Saturday 05 January 2008 13:35:24 Thiago Macieira wrote:
> Joshua J. Berry wrote:
> >Release quality? =C2=A0No way.
>
> Please read Aaron's blog for more information:
> http://aseigo.blogspot.com/2008/01/talking-bluntly.html

I understand and agree with most of what Aaron is saying.  I'm a developer=
=20
by profession -- I understand there will always be bugs, more features to=20
add, etc.  I understand there is a point at which you need to say, "it's=20
not perfect, but this is it".

But there is always that question of where the line needs to be drawn, and=
=20
IMO KDE has been over-eager to avoid E17's mistake of "release when it's=20
perfect^H^H^H^H^H^Hready".

When you say "alpha", or "beta", or "release", you're making a statement=20
about what shape your software is in.  You're saying, "I certify this=20
software is of this quality."  Aaron doesn't say a single word about the=20
flip side of the "release early, release often" mantra -- which is if you=20
release TOO early, and you say something is of release quality when it's=20
not, you've damaged your reputation and people are less likely to take you=
=20
seriously.

I don't expect--and I doubt most people expect--that KDE 4.0 will be up to=
=20
the same level of quality as KDE 3.5.  Particularly with 3.5, my impression=
=20
is KDE has built a reputation for producing full-featured, high-quality=20
software that is a pleasure to use.  (At least, that's how *I* feel. ;) )

But the flipside is now you have a reputation to uphold.  The KDE4 promise=
=20
is huge, and I have little doubt you will follow through.  But IMO 4.0.0=20
doesn't come anywhere close to living up to the quality standard set by the=
=20
3.5 series, and by saying it's ready to go you are setting your users up=20
for disappointment.

Regardless of your motivation for calling it 4.0.0, the simple fact is=20
you're calling it release-quality when it's not.  I may be wrong, but I=20
think that is a mistake that will damage KDE's reputation.

=2D- Josh


=2D-=20
Joshua J. Berry

"I haven't lost my mind -- it's backed up on tape somewhere."
    -- /usr/games/fortune

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