Wise and needed words of Wisdom. - Juan
On Jan 24, 3:27 pm, Mark Murphy <[email protected]> wrote: > Moving this to [android-discuss]... > > Sundog wrote: > > It is important not to get so involved with our affinity for the > > platform that we reject perfectly valid questions. I have wondered > > most of these things myself. > > The questions aren't so much the concern as the tone. > > Let's dissect it, one sentence at a time. These are my opinions on how > to write a "Future of Android"-type email message to an open source project: > > >> Hi, > > We're OK so far. > > >> I know you all are swamped, probably overloaded with requests, but > >> it's really important that a number of issues get addressed promptly. > > Tip #1: Don't go making demands (e.g., dictating timetables) unless > you're pitching in. > > Alternative phrasing: "I know you all are swamped, probably overloaded > with requests, but I'd like to put my two cents' in on some oft-cited > issues." > > >> Many users are on the fence as to whether they'll stick with the > >> phone or sell it. > > Tip #2: Don't cite claimed facts without evidence, or phrase it in the > form of a guess or opinion > > Alternative phrasing: "I, and perhaps others, are on the fence as to > whether they'll stick with the phone or sell it". > > >> Some of the issues have to do with various > >> "Activity" menus coming up asking the user to wait or close; the > >> device just being sluggish, battery life, SD apps, et al. > > This is fine: a list of issues. > > >> In order > >> that Android not lose momentum, it is imperative that the upcoming > >> Cupcake release make some significant improvements. > > See Tip #1. Also... > > Tip #3: Express opinions as opinions, or cite your credentials if you > feel they carry the weight of fact (e.g., the "momentum" thing) > > Alternative phrasing: "I worry about Android perhaps losing momentum if > too many people dismiss it because of these issues. I am trying to > determine which of these issues Cupcake addresses." > > >> By way of example > >> and although my opinion, a touch keypad is way less imperative than > >> basic device functionality. > > This is fine: stating an opinion as an opinion. > > >> For now, I'm sticking with the device > >> willing to weather the growing pains, others may be less patient. > > This too is fine. > > >> Thank you all for your hard work. > > A nice touch. > > >> Cupcake was 'supposed" to?: > >> Ability to install apps on SD card? > >> Exchange support? > >> Proper email app? > >> Smoother OS? > >> What about multi-touch? > >> Better Battery Life? > > >> None of the above? > > Tip #4: Be precise about what you are asking; try to avoid laundry lists > or otherwise making it difficult for people to give you a worthwhile answer > > Tip #5: Post to the correct list, or make the message apropos for the > list you're on > > Tip #6: Give the people who would be in position to provide the answers > a carrot to entice them to actually provide said answers > > Alternative phrasing: "The publicly-visible roadmap and the descriptions > of 'Cupcake' feel vague. Is there anything we can do to try to tighten > this up, and in particular identify *specific* spots where community > assistance is needed or desired?" > > >> so far, I think many really don't find it as amazing or advanced as > >> everyone tries to pretend it is. > > Tip #7: Don't denigrate the readers of the message (e.g., people > subscribed to [android-developers] would seem to qualify as a subset of > "everyone"). > > Alternative phrasing: Just drop this sentence. > > ------------------------------- > > Now, don't get me wrong. I write bi-polar emails too from time to time. > I expect to get my posterior handed to me on a platter when I do. > > So, for example, sometimes I will write that the core Android team > should do such-and-so. I try, though, to use that language in places > where I'd be willing and able to help in that effort, should the core > Android team express an interest and give me a way to assist. > > I'm sure somebody can go back through the archives and find a fistful of > posts that demonstrate that I'm being hypocritical on this topic, and I > accept that. We're all flawed, and I'm flawed more than most, I suspect. > > -- > Mark Murphy (a Commons Guy)http://commonsware.com > Android Training in Sweden --http://www.sotrium.com/training.php --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Discuss" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-discuss?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
