Workspace sprint, workplan/methodology

[Aleix Pol]

On Thu, May 17, 2012 at 10:31 AM, Aaron J. Seigo <aseigo at kde.org> wrote:
> On Wednesday, May 16, 2012 21:27:47 Aleix Pol wrote:
>> Regarding the document, I think it's a great thing to have. I'm a bit
>> afraid that we're focusing a bit too much on how do applications
>> integrate to Plasma instead of how does Plasma integrate applications.
>
> how so?
>
>> Furthermore, I see things like "on-screen keyboard" in this document.
>>
> >From my point of view, this sprint should be about how to iterate KDE
>>
>> on the desktop systems (with this mouse and keyboard we've all grown
>> to love),
>
> OSK is needed for a11y, for kiosk usage, etc. the OSK was actually started for
> the desktop and we have just re-used it for Active. the OSK is actually more
> suited to the desktop than mobile, in fact. and if there are people interested
> in working on these things, i don't think there is much to be gained by
> stopping them.
>
>> others are already taken care of by the Active project which
>> is doing great but on the desktop we have some void. If I
>
> you have hit on a pet peeve of mine, one that i feel is ultimately destructive
> to our community here: drawing artificial (fake) divisions between those
> working on components that are used in one device type or another.
>
> and yes, they are fake and it leads to mistakes. you managed to get it wrong
> for the on screen keyboard above, and in doing so discouraged someone from
> contributing in a way they found exciting and interesting. do you see why this
> is not good?
>
> much of the effort put into Active has benefited Desktop. and vice versa: it has
> been our plan for a long time to do exactly what we're doing with Active:
> extend the reach of Plasma Workspaces to other device types, and that was made
> possible by the work we did on the desktop.
>
> they are symbiotic. as is netbook. as is media center. as wil be other targets
> in the future. the view that these are all different things is a primitive and
> archaic viewpoint of how to create primary user interfaces ("shells",
> "workspaces", whatever you wish to call them).
>
> treating them as completely separate things, as in the above statement of
> "active is taken care of, desktop isn't" will eventually turn them into two
> separate projects because people will start thinking of them that way. then we
> lose the symbiosis, we lose people working on components that benefit all
> workspaces, we divide the Big Fire into a bunch of Little Fires which will
> eventually go out. that is a way to kill all workspace projects in the long
> run. we do not have the resources to run each shell as a wholey separate
> project, but we do have the resources to run them together.
>
> most frustratingly, i have spent much of my coding time until very recently
> almost exclusively on desktop components (the shell, plasmoids we use only
> there, etc) and yet still received feedback about our lack of commitment to
> the desktop. some who have been making such observations have been doing so
> from the outside without an accurate picture.
>
> this situation is NOT cool. it WILL erode our community. and that is one of
> the only types of behaviour that is not acceptable here.
>
> the reality is that sometimes we'll spend more time and effort working on
> components used in one device workspace or another. this will ebb and flow over
> time. have patience with this process. celebrate people's efforts and
> interests. support the sharing of code between workspaces. search for ways to
> harmonize the different shells and components they share.
>
> that there are people who want to put more effort into the desktop components
> is great! i am very supportive of this, opening the doors to our working
> processes, sharing our vision, open to seeing where that needs evolving, etc.
> in the process of doing this.
>
> i only ask that those getting involved show the same level of interest and
> respect. that means learning how plasma has and is working and engage with
> positivity rather that stop energy. thank you.
>
> --
> Aaron J. Seigo
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>

Hi Aaron,
I understand this is a sensible issue for you and I don't have any
intention of arguing it, you know about this community far more than I
do.

My intention was not to discourage anyone, but pointing out to what I
think it's important for me in the sprint. It might be discouraging
but I think it's important to make sure we're on the same page
regarding the sprint. We need to be able to talk about these things
without anyone going for the jugular.

Aleix