Bugzilla or else to handle feature requests?
 

http://wiki.maemo.org/Task:Brainstorming_new_features is a task still in the maemo.org backlog but there is one question that would have a bigger impact depending on the answer:

In the long run, where should feature requests be handled?

a) http://bugs.maemo.org as nowadays, making it more friendly to end users.

b) A specialized tool like http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/

c) Else

A meta-question would be whether the answer depends who you ask to. For instance, would Andre (maemo.org bugmaster) and Reggie (InternatTabletTalk admin) have the same opinion? Would ITt and maemo-developers reach the same conclusions? Who to listen and where to discuss?

2 facts, already difficult to negotiate:

- Reusing bugs.maemo.org is easier (and probably cheaper) than adding a maemo.org brainstorm. However, in theory the community should be able to handle completely e.g. a Drupal instance with Ubuntu's brainstom software.

- A maemo.org brainstorm like Ubuntu's far from the bug tracking system would make happier non-technical end users and product managers, and perhaps a bunch of power users and developers tools. However, in theory
the bugzilla UI could be tweaked to be reasonably acceptable as well.

Opinions?

(The same question was posted few days ago in the maemo-community list)

Re: Bugzilla or else to handle feature requests?
 

Don't mix them! Bugs are one thing, new features are an other thing.

Those are the guys that'll use the system, so why not make them happy.

To file a bug one has to know a lot more about the system and how to reproduce the bug to make a proper bug report. The average user, who just wants feature X, it's too much to ask from.

Re: Bugzilla or else to handle feature requests?
 

Those voting options "with tweaking" please give a hint about the tweaks you have in mind.

maemo.org URL and layout is guaranteed. ;) What other changes to implement?

Re: Bugzilla or else to handle feature requests?
 

Tweaking - slight bit of moderation to apply layout or spell-check to make it more appetizing for people to vote on. Is login needed for something for this? May put off user incentive to vote.

Combine "bug jar" initiative - "feature jar" of upcoming features to forums/mailing lists?

Re: Bugzilla or else to handle feature requests?
 

Not cheerleading here, just explaining how the Voting feature currently works in Bugzilla.
You go to a bug report and click on "Vote for this bug". A table with all your (former) votes will be presented and an "Enter New Vote here →", see for example https://bugs.maemo.org/votes.cgi?act...ug_id=1#vote_1 .
One needs to be logged in for this - might be a burden to register first, might also avoid persons voting 20 times for their favourite bug. :-/

The UI is probably a bit confusing, at least one person told me.
Take a look at it, also take a look at http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/ and add your vote to the ITt poll here or proposals how to tweak. :)

Re: Bugzilla or else to handle feature requests?
 

I prefer the bug tracker, because it's easier to follow the progress of an issue (and a feature request is an issue).
At least in theory, in practice....

Re: Bugzilla or else to handle feature requests?
 

My plan was always to have a brainstorm site for non-specific ideas like "Multiboot", "Add a recovery mode" or "Implement browser tabs" where we can work out the reasonability of the suggestion, then discuss the specifics of the actual implementation once it's decided that it's valid. Once a plan is put together, the specific steps will be moved to bugzilla in the form of enhancement requests.

It's not an either/or proposition, but a clear and straightforward feature development process from one step to the next.

Re: Bugzilla or else to handle feature requests?
 

That makes a lot of sense, GA.

Re: Bugzilla or else to handle feature requests?
 

Please find a better way, to make sure no one votes twice, than registration. Even usernames are unnecessery in my opinion.

I really think that online discussions in general would benefit from anonymous forums with the options to vote for each post and thread.

Re: Bugzilla or else to handle feature requests?
 

Do you have any suggestions?