[Bf-funboard] Default file changes?

[Early Ehlinger]

On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 12:39 PM, Sangwoo Hong <sahngwoo at gmail.com> wrote:

> ...Well, I for one think that retention rates for potential new users out
> weights current user familiarity, not because I think new users are more
> important but because current users are familiar enough to have the option
> of using their software the way they are used to but potential new users
> don't have that luxury.  And not having that luxury they become confused and
> more often then not choose to not join our community, and may even become
> hostile, which any way one looks at it would be an unfortunate thing for
> everyone involved.
>
>
I couldn't agree more.  A few years ago, I employed a guy by the name of
Cory, who was a Computer Science guy by training.  He'd never used any 3D
software before working at ResPower.  He tried Blender, and found the mouse
selection thing annoying, but quickly got over it because it was a job
requirement for him.  Now, I have several tech support employees, most of
whom are students at a local tech school learning 3D graphics and game
design or CAD.  On the 3D side, they're getting training in 3dsmax and/or
Maya, and on the CAD side, they're getting training in AutoCAD.  I've had a
few of them pull up Blender after receiving training in the other packages,
and their response is beyond annoyed, but not quite to the hostility point.

My point is this: all 3D apps allow customization, and Blender is very good
at retaining that customization from one version to the next (others aren't,
at all).  Making the "standard" UI more in line with the UI's of other
applications will not hurt existing users, and will definitely ease the
transition for new users.  In order for any open source application to
thrive, three things are needed: 1) a strong, committed developer base. 2) a
large, happy user base, and 3) a reputation of being friendly for new
users.  Blender's got the first 2 locked up, but on 3, it could really use
some help.  The changes proposed in this thread would get about 80% of the
way there for **way** less than 20% of the work to do the next release.

-- Early
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