Some interesting discussions have come across the bootstrap mailing list for Perl 6 regarding the reasons people upgrade/switch to a new version/language.
The first point that was made on which I would like to see more discussion is that many people and corporations stayed with 553 over 56 because they simply couldn't see a real reason to upgrade, so I'd like a little more info. Please reply and lets find out:
Secondly and finally, the following comment was made as to the groups to which Perl 6 must appeal. And what appeals to them:
Quoted from e-mail to bootstrap list by skud@netizen.com.au<quote>In order to succeed, Perl needs to convince the following groups of people that it is worthwhile: A - Developers (or potential developers) *of* Perl B - Developers (or potential developers) who use Perl C - People who hire people who use Perl How do we reach those groups? Group A are attracted to Perl through word of mouth and for the love of the code, for the most part. Anything that smells like corporate PR/marketing/etc will, for the most part, turn them off. Group B are sometimes like group A, and sometimes attracted via technically oriented sales and marketing -- feature lists, fact sheets, demos, etc. Flashy advertising/PR may catch their attention but won't necessarily hold it. The ability to find real information about Perl and actually take part in useful interactions with other Perl developers (whether by email, web chat boards, or at conferences) is what will draw them in and hold them. Group C don't care much about the code itself. Many of them want to use whatever will get the job done on time and well (easy for Perl!), while others are of the "magazine management" kind. Everyone except for the "magazine management" types want real information, not hype. Sure, real information that's printed on glossy paper will be more impressive, but it does need to actually convey Perl's real benefits to them as programmers or as managers. </quote>
Now, I disagree with the groups listed first of all, I think that group B should be split into two groups,:
So how does perl attract these groups? I leave group A as an exercise for the reader, as I am neither a developer nor a potential developer of perl. Group B.1. want all of the current functionality, and things like support for unicode, safer threads, and other things that have been listed on the bootstrap list, and we must ensure that we do not alienate those first two groups in the process of attempting to attract groups B.2., and C
However B.2. and C. are where our potential for growth lies. Group B.2. wants perl to be like their own language of choice, and I again leave what will change their tune largely as an exercise for the reader, with one exception: that they are driven by a desire for money(read material goods)... as indeed most of mankind is (Whoa there mister, holster your guns, I said most not all). Thus if we can attract group C., and hence create more job openings requiring perl programming experience, then we create more converts from group B.2., not to mention the side benefit of increased sallaries and potential for current perl coders.
Anyway, I've rambled on much longer than I intended and quite long enough, but I'd be interested to see what the rest of you think.
In reply to 5.53 vs 5.6 vs 6 by raflach
| For: | Use: | ||
| & | & | ||
| < | < | ||
| > | > | ||
| [ | [ | ||
| ] | ] |