I get particulalry annoyed now with linux when I start up synaptic and my choices are cluttered with several programs who might help me in some way, but the only difference described in the description is that they were implemented in language XXX. I don't really consider that a choice, it's more noise than anything.
On the other hand, programs that really do seem to be valuable don't seem to be screaming about what language they are written in. I had no idea the original BitTorrent was written in python, or scons when I installed it. Bittorrent helps me get files faster, scons helps me build ardour. They could be written in lisp for all I care, it benefits me nonetheless.
My opinion is that providing programs that benefit people in some way could go a lot farther in promoting the language than propoganda about what you can do with the language. Shouting about the potential of the tools will only get you so far.
Rails is the killer framework of the moment. So what? Where's the killer app that helps me do something new? All i hear about is people writing frameworks on top of rails to do things that can already be done. CMS's for example, there are some written in rails. To my knowledge none of them are mature yet, and thus the only "selling" point I hear about "written in rails". Benefit to me as a user still = 0%.
How about this? someone write an interface to the quake3 engine, and make it damn easy for kids to write games and game mods.
or...
Make it possible to write ladspa plugins so that I can write crazy effects for ardour.
or...
an itunes like music manager that doesn't lock all my music away and handles m3u files properly out of the box. With a plug in system so people can extend it.
don't even mention it was done in python, if it's done right, the true value will be apparent and your users will do the evangelizing for you.
OK, I will now return to my happy place. :)
--
Thomas G. Willis
-----------------------------------------------
http://i-see-sound.com
http://tomwillis.sonicdiscord.com
America, still more rights than North Korea
-- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
