16 Nov
2011
16 Nov
'11
9:33 a.m.
Sell concepts like this:
You get work done faster and easier.
The work-flow is what you are used to and have used for
years.
The work-flow is easier and it takes fewer movements to
access what you need.
What you learned previously still applies and you don't
have to
unlearn anything.
You don't have to waste time learning how to do something
you already
understand in KDE3.
etc, etc...
I think we identify those points in our proposed draft About/FAQ page in etherpad. Please
review the page and feel welcomed to help.
I think most people resist having to learn new things
but
they
absolutely HATE having to learn to NOT do something that
they have
done continuously for years. If you play on that you
can get people's
attention.
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. :)
Darrell