View Single Post
Texrat's Avatar
Posts: 11,700 | Thanked: 10,045 times | Joined on Jun 2006 @ North Texas, USA
#21
Originally Posted by Lord Raiden View Post
It's funny that you bring up this topic, because I too have noticed a downturn in the number of people willing to contribute to any kind of project at all. It could be that we have the same number of contributors as before, but a bigger user base (thus making it appear like less are contributing by skewing percentages) and/or more projects which ultimately thin out that already narrow contributor base.

Honestly, it could be either. But I'm also seeing an uptick in the number of people who want something in return for their hard work, and not just a pat on the back and a little recognition anymore. Heck, I'm almost to the point of having to offer cash payments for articles and other stuff from members in order to get people to contribute to my site. I doubt I ever will, as that destroys the exact FOSS principles I'm fighting so hard to maintain, but in general I'm seeing that across the board.

It might also be the economic downturn causing people to be a bit more stingy with their resources too. When times are good, people give freely. When they're bad, you need a crowbar just to pry a penny out of their hands. *rolls eyes*

Either way, something needs to happen as far as contributions go. I contribute anywhere I can, and while my skills don't typically lay in the coding field, I do find lots of things I can do. One project I'm involved in for example is Floss Manuals. It's a great project, but it doesn't require coders, as it's simply a documentation project. But that's fine. Those are needed too.
Those are good points as well.

And Quim extracted only half of my complaint in order to peel off this separate discussion but I take exception to that: I see the two (hardware and community software) as intertwined.

Back to fms' point about motivation: I suspect the uncertainty about hardware may be contributing to the current state of community development. I see a lot more doubt and cynicism where I used to see eagerness and optimism. Granted, there are those who will point to the Newtons and Palms that enjoyed long post-production lives but how big were the communities and more importantly, the general user bases?

The tablets still have yet to make the mainstream to the extent that other products have. Nokia's official line is that step 5 will do it-- but even there the focus is on future hardware. Yes, there will be software advents with Fremantle and Harmattan but I daresay if you stuck Diablo on faster iron that would go 80% of the way to satisfying user needs.

Anyway I have not yet had morning coffee and I realize I may be largely incoherent so I'll stop here for now.

EDIT: ok, coffeed up and ready to go!

I guess I need to make something perfectly clear, especially to Quim:

When I engage in this sort of discussion, it is often in one of the following roles: product advocate, idea stimulator, discussion facilitator or devil's advocate. Sometimes all of the above. This is what I mean by "talking can BE doing". Conversations need to be directed and prodded (although certainly not controlled). That is how I have mostly seen my role here.

Quim, you have a tendency to downplay my involvement with the tablets but the fact is I was highly instrumental in the successful US launch of the N800 and a very important reason why initial quality was as good as it was out the door (I would love to fill you in on details if I have not already). That's not said just to brag-- I am pointing out why I feel confident to self-describe myself as an authority of sorts. Plus, I do have considerable experience as a facilitator in general and enjoy the role of challenging assumptions, asking stimulating questions and drawing out great ideas.

So yeah... in my case, talking IS doing. That's my skill.
__________________
Nokia Developer Champion
Different <> Wrong | Listen - Judgment = Progress | People + Trust = Success
My personal site: http://texrat.net

Last edited by Texrat; 2009-01-11 at 18:20.
 

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Texrat For This Useful Post: