Feature Request: More customizable terms

[Shane H. W. Travis]

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004, Christian Robottom Reis wrote:

> I can remember participating in the discussion, and at the time I
> concurred it was a slippery slope (and isn't it? Have you tried
> maintaining templates where all phrases are put together dynamically from
> bits in terms?). I am open to changing my mind if enough people and
> rationale is provided to justify this.

I won't argue *at all* that there are inherent difficulties in this process,
and that it could lead to problems. For this reason, it should be done well,
and carefully, and with careful review. And maybe you're right, and it
shouldn't be done at all... but then why was it done with 'bug'? The
slippery slope started there, not here. Given that it's been done once, it
seems reasonable (to an outsider, anyway) that it can be done again.


> It's a bit unfair to suggest a patch of that magnitude however given the
> potential it has for bitrot; I apologize for it.

That's reasonable; thank you.


(The rest of this is directed 'to the air', and not at kiko specifically.)

When Someone In Charge makes a casual suggestion 'Make a patch; it should be
easy," then that's almost implicit permission/suggestion to do so. Maybe
some don't perceive it that way, but that's how people who are not part of
the 'inner circle' see it -- sort of like being pre-approved.

If he had actually gone and done all this work, and then faced the exact
same chain of comments as in 218746 (probably even shorter, because someone
would just stamp it 'Dupe of 218746' and close it), then how would that
feel? Like a slap in the face -- an outright rejection. After an experience
like that, why would he ever want to contribute again?

It ties in with my 'rant' yesterday about fostering new developers. New
developers come in and they're excited. They want to contribute, they want
to help, they want to be part of this great, wonderful, free thing. That
sort of spirit should be built up and encouraged, because only new
developers can ever become old developers. Telling someone to go make a
patch when all previous experience suggests that patches like this get
rejected... that's almost like doing the exact opposite, and that's why it
bothered me.

Enthusiasm is an ember; by itself, it won't do much, but with a little
nurturing and a little fuel, it will grow into a fire that is completely
capable of sustaining itself. That fuel needs to be added when the ember is
hot, though; leave it too long and the spark will have gone out. At that
point, no amount of fanning will revive it.

Yeah, analogies suck, but they work as far as they go; when a contributor is
flush with that initial burst of enthusiasm, THAT is when they need to get
some feedback... not when the INBOX is less full, or the current workload
eases off a bit, or as soon as this push is over. By then, it may be too
late, and the person may have already decided to move on to other things --
things where they are more assured that their help is wanted.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to fan my embers -- Vlad, Dave,
Max, C Hicks, Gavin.


> Why do I get the feeling you think I'm Not On Your Side?
>
> (Maybe it's because I didn't answer your long email you sent a few moons
> ago. I've been meaning to; it's not that, I just suck at processing my
> INBOX.)

lol - you infer that I'm carrying a grudge because you never answered my
mail? Let me assuage your conscience; that is not it at all.

Honestly, I had forgotten that I wrote to you. I remember now, and in truth
I remember being disappointed that you didn't reply -- the above 'ember
analogy' applies to me too. (You weren't the only one who didn't reply to a
similar e-mail, btw.) I'm past that stage now, though, and hold no grudges.

I'd still love to get an answer, when you have time, and would love to hear
your thoughts (private or public) on the issues raised here. I do appreciate
you accepting responsibility for your own words, and for acknowledging the
dichotomy between what you said there and what you said here. A lot of
people aren't able to do that, so it's nice to meet those who are.

Shane H.W. Travis       | Anyone who is capable of getting themselves
travis at sedsystems.ca    |  made President should on no account be allowed
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |  to do the job.  -- Douglas Adams, HHGTTG