Re: [Gramps-devel] Re: [Gramps-users] Re: export and filters

[V. D. <mic...@gm...>]

I would like two point to Don's list:

On Wed, 2006-05-24 at 06:09 -0600, Don Allingham wrote:
> Language has little to do with anything. The problem with options boils
> down on several issues:
> 
> 1) Requests for features are many. The number of developers is few. We
>    have to prioritize what we do. Unlike some OSS programs, we have no
>    corporate sponsorship - no one gets paid. All work is volunteer, and
>    the developers have jobs and families. So the amount of time that
>    developers can contribute is limited. 
> 2) The number of options increases the number of cases that have to be
>    tested. Assuming that all options have only two possibilities, you
>    find that the number of test cases is 2^n, where n is the number of 
>    options. 1 option = 2 test cases. 4 options = 16 test cases. 8
>    options = 256 cases. And suddenly the possibilities for errors 
>    explodes and the code starts getting difficult due to the many
>    possible branches.

3) There's no point in adding features and say: "if it's not what the
user expected, he can always go back, tinker with the options, until
it's ok". Each option that goes into Gramps should be the best solution
for an existing problem. 

Let me clarify, because I understand this point sounds as if I'm not
worried about your concerns. The problem is, it is véry easy to design
features in the export & filters area that don't make sense for
*anyone*. (Especially if you start thinking about the sources that are
linked to a person, and point to other people as well, etc... Or this
one: filter for all males, and then provide an option to include their
wives and families -on export, not in the filter itself-... I guess
there's a point, but it's not very compelling.) Features that don't make
sense for anyone are a burden on the program and its usuability.

4) Also, even if options are included, Aunt Martha will thank you if the
defaults are right for her. Therefore, options are not the end of the
debate.

In any case, nothing is lost by thinking about this issue... and I don't
think we're there yet. Also, my views are not very relevant, since I'm
quite sure I'm never going to use anything like this.

This was my last e-mail about this issue written without understanding
what it's about. If there will ever be a next e-mail, I promise it will
bring more to the debate! :-)

Michaël