16 Nov
2011
16 Nov
'11
10:26 a.m.
I don't think people resist change as popular as that adage might be. :) I
think people resist change they did not ask for or resist when timetables
for the changes are unrealistic. People want to move forward
incrementally, comfortably. Changes like those in KDE and GNOME are
unwelcome by many because most users did not have a meaningful vote and
the changes are too dramatic without providing fallbacks to familiar
territory. Same thing is happening in the Windows market, by the way. Some
people love the new interfaces and work flows and that is expected. Many
others could adapt if they had been treated with respect and compassion
rather than as objects.
This is much like the frog in boiling water parable. If features are
changed incrementally most users never object. They adapt. Change too many
features at once with no forewarning and training and the frog jumps out
of the water. :)
Yes, this is true. However keep in mind what usually happens to the
frog--it gets boiled alive. ;-)
What I mean is that change to an inefficient way of doing things, even if
done over a long period of time, is still change for the worse. Users may
finally get "boiled alive"; i.e. get completely frustrated with their
Linux desktop, and move to another platform that promises them the ability
to get their tasks done faster.
Tim