Re: Removing Firefox Version Number

On Aug 19, 11:30 pm, Asa Dotzler <[email protected]> wrote:
> Vega wrote:
> > 1. Asa has even failed to provide numbers (or percentage) of such
> > 'confused' users perhaps wandering around in a daze wondering about
> > their Firefox version.
>
> Hi Vega, thanks for taking the time to share your concerns here. Let me
> see if I can help answer some of them for you.
>
> As I mentioned in an earlier post which asked a similar question,
> Mozilla is not purely data driven. We do use data as one of the tools in
> our toolbelt, but we also have highly educated, and very experienced,
> and super talented people working all over the Mozilla project. So, we
> do not require data for all changes in the Mozilla project.

So, when *we* suggest that most users want to see the version number
to know what the version number is, you tell us we need data to back
it up.  Yet, when *you* suggest that users do *not* check the version
number to know what the version number is and *we* ask for data to
back it up, you say it's unnecessary because you're "highly educated"
and "super talented".  One thing's for sure:  Mozilla needs to stop
letting you speak publicly for them.


> > 2. Why haven't Mozilla conducted an online poll to check if users
> > would prefer this? If you have, mind publishing the results?
>
> While a Mozilla module owner is certainly empowered to put things up to
> a vote, the Mozilla project absolutely does not require that changes
> must be subject to polls or popularity contests. That's just not how
> this project works. Again, I'd refer you to the links above if this
> doesn't make sense to you.

No, you're not required to conduct a poll.  Not unless you want to
base your actions on real data instead of the whims of the "super
talented".


> > 4. Asa's responses smack (if not reek) of hubris, and that, though
> > cavil, is enough of a reason to be put off.
>
> I'm sorry I've made you feel that way.

Maybe if you stopped with the whole "we're super talented and highly
educated" attitude you'd make fewer people feel that way.  To coin a
phrase, "People do not care how much you know until they know how much
you care."


> Transitions can certainly be uncomfortable, even painful. With a much
> larger community today than we had back then, it's going to be difficult
> for even more people.

That being the case, isn't it all the more important for you to be
certain that the transitions you *do* force on people will be
beneficial?  So far you've provided no evidence that this one will be,
and it seems like you're causing way more discomfort and pain than
this little "bug" is worth.


> Mozilla survived that last big transition. It was a tough decision to
> change course like that but I believed then that it was the right thing
> to do despite it being difficult. I think the evidence today heavily
> supports that it was the right thing to do. The move to rapid releases,
> which is responsible for much of the discomfort I've seen in this
> discussion about version numbers, was another tough decision. I believe
> that it's the right thing to do despite it being difficult.

IMHO, you should save the PR nightmares for something a little more
important.  Ironically I've seen far more upset and far less
justification over this miniscule About dialog issue than I saw over
either of the two *major* transitions you just described.  Like
another poster said, choose your battles.