Tango quibbles - please write tickets so we can track them

[Sean Kelly]

Janice Caron wrote:
> On 9/17/07, Alexander Panek <alexander.panek at brainsware.org> wrote:
>> I think that analogy limps massively. Books, as well as software, have a
> 
> Books, TV programs, movies, /anything/, it doesn't matter. ANYTHING
> which makes a claim on your spare time is something you have to decide
> whether or not you can afford that spare time.
...

> Likewise, when someone shows me a programming library in which I have
> no interest, I just put it down. The /last/ thing I would do is get
> involved with making it. You expect me to get involved in creating
> something I don't like and in which I have no interest? That's absurd.
> The answer is no. That's not arrogant, that's just saying no.

Comparing a modern fiction book to a software library is a weak analogy, 
since they present entirely different entirely different producer / 
consumer relationships.  If such an analogy were to be made with books, 
I believe serial fiction would be more appropriate.  In such books (as 
I'm sure you're aware), the material is molded based on reader response 
in an attempt to keep the material popular and relevant.

A more accurate analogy still, however, is to compare a software library 
to a tool.  In the construction trades I believe you'll find that 
complex tools are often customized by the user and craftsmen often even 
submit feedback to tool designers in an attempt to improve the 
suitability of tools for the work involved.  Spare time typically isn't 
an issue because the time spent is a part of work, not leisure.  In 
fact, some of Tango's users are actually involved in commercial 
projects.  I only wish I had the time to respond to their requests and 
bug reports that I would if maintaining Tango were my job.  Truth be 
told, Tango is already more popular than I expected it would be.


Sean