[maemo-developers] Package promoting

[From: Felipe Crochik]

We had this discussion not long ago
(http://maemo.org/community/maemo-developers/maemo_qa_process/?org_openpsa_q
bpager_net_nemein_discussion_posts_page=1)

 

I think the "appdownloader" has most of features we need to help users find,
install, test and review applications. If we also add to the appdownloader
reminders like "you installed xxxx 10 days ago, how would you rate it?" we
would have a much more effective process. 

 

An initial (to do) list (comments anyone?):

1.	I assume appdownloader is open source but I would contact the
developer to see if he is interested on taking the application to the "next
level". We also need someone on the server side to help.
2.	add extras-testing to appdownloader (probably requires changes on
the server). Application would only show "testing applications" if the
repository is enabled.
3.	show the source of the package and optionally allow to filter "only
extras" 
4.	automatically add comments from appdownloader to the application
test page
5.	still have some "official testers" feedback required. most users
won't care about the "qa checklist" but I think their feedback should be as
important on deciding if the application gets promoted or not. 
6.	add "desktop" and close buttons to appdownloader (please?)
7.	remember credentials so user does not have to login again?
8.	keep track of the applications that the user has installed. Show
reminders every "x" days after installation
9.	Maybe integrate appdownloader to FAP? Anything we can do to make
easier to install applications using appdownloader

 

 

Sorry for repeating myself but I really believe we may have a solution we
can actually implement and help a lot with this issue and some others. It is
great to have more applications but it is getting harder every day to find
them and decide to install or not. 

 

Felipe

  _____  

From: maemo-developers-bounces at maemo.org
[mailto:maemo-developers-bounces at maemo.org] On Behalf Of Attila Csipa
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 8:58 AM
To: Polyvertex
Cc: maemo-developers at maemo.org
Subject: Re: Package promoting

 

On Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 3:09 PM, Polyvertex <polyvertex at gmail.com> wrote:


I think the maintainer should always have the ability to promote the
package to extras by himself and take the risk of being under fire
from users if he promote a very bad/bugged release and did not took
enough time to resolve issues. This may also be added to the Karma
system if this is not already done.


Generally, that was the setup with the N8x0 and Maemo4.x, so we have tried
that - IMO this works better (occasional developer frustration
notwithstanding) from a user standpoint, so let's not backpedal on that - do
everything to make it simpler for developers, but do not sacrifice users in
the process. Reflashing might be trivial for some, but a serious endeavour
for others.

> A secret weapon is in the making - KISStester, which would allow easier
> feedback for users, and it also acts as a REMINDER for people who are
using
> software that is in dire need of testing (the problem is that people
> *download* things from testing but forget/can't be bothered to come BACK
to
> vote on it).

Well... As both of us said : most of the time, users don't vote. This
is why the promoting process is way too constraining : it does not
take users behavior into account at all...


We'll see the effects when KISStester lands. The point is that ofter people
don't even *know* they are downloading the version from extras-testing
(since H-A-M does not show that info - and they might have installed it
before it was promoted to extras-testing), they are forgetful, etc. So it's
not like 99.999% of users don't care, it's just the process that is awkward
for most. If we as much as double user response by flashing a 'hey, you have
used this app from testing for N days now, care to give some feedback ?' in
notifications (or 'you have uninstalled an app from extras-testing, was
there something wrong with it ?'), that would already be big help. At that
point the biggest concern will be educating people of leaving *good*
feedback, but if we have bad results, we can always disable the vote-part
and just leave comments - that can be very helpful, too.

PS also for feedback - I often see for example problems being reported on
talk - that goes to show that people are not comfortable with leaving
comments within the testing process, so silence in testing does not
necessarily mean all is well (but it does mean the process needs refining).

Best regards,
Attila

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