Re: The "user-developer gap" myth

[CUTblakeney@home.com (Jeff Blakeney)]

On Fri, 30 Jun 2000 11:15:21 -0500, Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>
wrote:

>     More "doesn't" than "can't". Programming isn't all that hard.

If a user puts in the time and effort to learn how to program and
writes and releases a useful program, then they are a developer.  A
user is someone who can't create new software because they don't have
the knowledge to do so.

Yes, there will be people who know how to program but don't release
anything they write so calling them a user may be a bit of an insult
to them so I normally refer to them as programmers.  Until they've
released something I can't really call them a developer, though.

Personally, I consider myself a PC programmer as I haven't released
anything myself for the PC.  I've only worked on other people's
software projects.  In the Apple II world, I consider myself a
developer, although a very small one at present, as I have released a
couple small but useful programs so far.

>     The original contention was that a "gap" between "users" and
>"developers" exists in the sense of two sides separated by feelings of
>mistrust and animosity. The listing of numerous developers who get along fine
>with 'end users' on Csa2 demonstrates that the contention is in error.

That is true, the original post was saying something about how
developers are nasty to the users, but I kind of ignored it because it
is pretty ridiculous.  In other words, I agree with you that the vast
majority of developers have no feelings of mistrust or animosity to
most Apple II users.

However, you did state that there was no gap between users and
developers and that I can't agree with.  There is a gap between users
and developers and there always will be.

+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Jeff Blakeney - Dean of the Apple II University in A2Pro on Delphi     |
|                    Delphi Apple II Forums Web Pages                    |
| A2: http://www.delphi.com/apple2   A2Pro: http://www.delphi.com/a2pro  |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+