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How the FlightGear project works: Difference between revisions
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How the FlightGear project works (view source)
Revision as of 17:46, 8 February 2012
, 8 February 2012→Community interactions
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There will probably always be irreconcilable differences between those that _create_ a program, and those that _use_ a program. The extremely successful programs/environments are the ones where those that create can understand those that use, and those that use can understand those that create. Everyone here, in the long run, is really here for their own benefit, and until we all understand that, not much will change. Open source has it's downfalls. It doesn't have to please the majority, it doesn't need sales, it only has to please the person that created it. This doesn't mean that people are greedy or selfish. They have no problem sharing, but they don't need to _do_anything_for_you_, if they aren't interested in it. | There will probably always be irreconcilable differences between those that _create_ a program, and those that _use_ a program. The extremely successful programs/environments are the ones where those that create can understand those that use, and those that use can understand those that create. Everyone here, in the long run, is really here for their own benefit, and until we all understand that, not much will change. Open source has it's downfalls. It doesn't have to please the majority, it doesn't need sales, it only has to please the person that created it. This doesn't mean that people are greedy or selfish. They have no problem sharing, but they don't need to _do_anything_for_you_, if they aren't interested in it. | ||
= You guys need some serious changes = | |||
You know, if I wanted to change the structure of a project for better, but would not have any real power (control over servers, commit rights, admin rights in the forum, ...), I'd do the following: | |||
First, I'd try to make sure I understand the situation as it is - not as it appears from my perspective, but also how it appears to others, of what nature the obstacles to change are and so on. Then I'd try to get to talk to some of the people who have the power to change things, and convince them that changing something would not just be better for me, but also be better for them - in fact be better for anyone around. In order to do so, I'd go as far as I can to meet them - talk their language, start describing things from their perspective, value their efforts - and then talk about that one can also see things from a different perspective. I'd do that because I want something - I want them to listen to me, so I want to make that as easy as possible. I'd also prepare a compelling and persuasive case - I'd try up front to sort genuine structural problems from things which are just one-time mistakes which can happen because people are not perfect, I'd sort important things from unimportant things and focus on the important things. Above all, I'd think about what I personally did wrong and what part of the problem I can fix - and how I should do it. And then I'd see if I can't convince anyone that there is merit in my perspective. In the process, I'd also try to find like-minded people who might help me achieve my goals. | |||
= Community interactions = | = Community interactions = | ||