[maemo-developers] QA process = bug fixing disincentive?

[From: tero.kojo at nokia.com]

Andrew Flegg wrote.
> 
> Jeremiah wrote:
> >
> > Shall we put a checkbox by the package promotion page, or somewhere 
> > where we remember, which keeps all accrued karma?
> 
> That's probably a good first step, however I wonder if long 
> term something like Marius suggested might be better: 
> remaining karma for an app is...
> 
>    * proportional to current app karma
>    * proportional to developer's karma
>    * proportional to testers' karma
>    * inversely proportional to the time between
>      last build and this build.
> 
> This'd mean that if I released an app and had it voted up by 
> Ryan, Tim, Daniel, Quim and a few others on the first karma 
> page; and I released a new version the next day (short time 
> => probable bug fix); my app might only lose one or two points.
> 
> Maybe this works for time too (or vote by high roller reduces 
> time?) Or maybe it's just too complicated?

Too complicated.

I start testing an application that I pick from extras-testing (a repository that is enabled on my device). I do my tests, am happy and go press a thumbs up.

Two days later I notice a blinking orange light in my status bar. I see a new version of the application. I install, I check what has changed (minor or major?), I run my tests and thumb it up again.

I didn't loose too many minutes or hours of my life, no one got killed or injured, and the punitive damages to all parties appear to be zero. Life's good and I get a cup of coffee.

In other words, I test applications that I use or leave on device. It's not something I do randomly. I believe that the author of the app has committed to the app, so in return I commit to it as well. The rules and process are a good thing, but in the end it is people who do the things. No matter if it is the developer, the tester or the user, it's about the people.

Tero

> Thoughts welcome.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Andrew
> 
> --
> Andrew Flegg -- mailto:andrew at bleb.org  |  http://www.bleb.org/
>