On Thu, Dec 13, 2007 at 08:44:35AM +0100, Mathieu Stumpf wrote:
> Le mercredi 12 dC)cembre 2007 C 11:22 -0800, Ted Unangst a C)crit :
> > On 12/12/07, Mathieu Stumpf <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > To my mind software quality also depends on ease of use. So I would be
> > > happy to help improve OpenBSD by making it easier to install and use.
> > > But I don't know if you would be interesting by this kind of
> > > 'improvement'. I don't want to waste your time nor mine, so I ask first.
> >
> > most developers are convinced the installer is about as easy to use as
> > possible. other parts of the system could possibly use some
> > improvement, but keep in mind that "easy to use" and simple aren't the
> > same for many people, and openbsd really values simple.
>
> I agree "easy to use" and sample are not the same for everyone. That's
> why, to my mind, a good installer should provide several methods to
> install.
>
> If you like the current way it works, you should be able to continue
> with this system. But what if my mum, who has low computer skill, would
> like to install a free, functional and secure system? I think the
> software should help her to make the most accurate choices. Because I
> think my mum too deserves a reliable operating system. :P
>
> Best regards.
That's all fine, but your mum is probably not an OpenBSD developer.
The main target audience for OpenBSD are the developers. We make what
suits us. And we are not computer users with average or below average
skills. That does not mean we like to make things complicated, far
from that. We do however expect our users to have some knowledge and
skills.
Luckily there are a lot of people around that have similar views and
needs as the developers. Any other person or group liking the results
is free to use it for whatever thay want. Maybe to make something
that's easier to install for *their* intended audience. But that
installer probably won't make it into the base system.
Please do not read this as a discouragement to get involved. But if
you want to create something that supposed to go into the base system,
it really should cater for the needs of the main body of users.
-Otto
