Re: Survey: What are you using MadWifi for, and why?

[Removed linux-kernel from CC, having this discussion on three mailing
lists is more than enough]

Hi Luis.

Luis R. Rodriguez wrote:
> So some sort of survey on this on madwifi-devel is not fair or just
> to ath5k/ath9k as the only thing it would bring out is those romantics
> still reading madwifi-devel due to some sort of attachment to it.

I did ask on madwifi-devel and madwifi-users because these are the lists
where we can reach those who still stick to MadWifi. The whole idea of the
survey is to learn about their reasons, to find out what exactly prevents
them from switching to ath[59]k. Thus it was a natural and intentional
choice - where else would you have asked these questions?

I disagree about your point on fairness. The survey will hopefully result
in information that we don't seem to have so far, helping those who
actively work on ath[59]k to determine which features the users are
missing in both drivers. This survey is working *towards* ath[59]k, not
against them.

> Madwifi's future as a Linux driver does not depend on what users wish
> would happen on a legacy driver due to romantic experiences with it
> with extensive features and its history.

The development of any software should happen with the user's needs and
requirements in mind, since otherwise that software won't have users and
all effort spent on the development is a waste. Just doing development
"the right way" does not guarantee that the result of such development is
what users actually need and can work with. That's probably especially
true if one intends to replace an established software by another one.

Again: there must be reasons why a significant amount of MadWifi users
didn't switch to ath[59]k yet, and we don't seem to have exact ideas what
these reasons are. Listening to these user to see what can be done to make
them *want* to switch appears like a good idea to me. At least it's better
than plainly putting them off with the "take it or leave it,
romantics!"-like approach you (being an Atheros employee) promote despite
the fact that those who "leave it" may reconsider their decision for
Atheros-based equipment.

Bye, Mike


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