[Lazarus] [fpc-pascal] What to do to get new users

[Martin Frb]

I am cross posting this to the Lazarus list, since some of this relates 
to Lazarus.

On 16/10/2024 01:07, Rainer Stratmann via fpc-pascal wrote:
> - Lazarus looks very complicated with its many windows. And it is also
> relatively complicated to understand and use. There are too many options that
> are too nested.
About the options: This is 2 fold.

1) The count
2) The presentation

"Count": Of course (assuming that all those involved in the decision  
making can be convinced) they can be reduced. Then existing users will 
just have to live with the loss of their favourite setting. Or be forced 
to install (included or 3rd party) add ons. Or worst, leave.

"Presentation": Oh, yeah, that could be a lot better. Including an 
"advanced" mode, to reduce what is immediately show to a newby. And 
Including a wizard.
Just needs someone to do the work.
Some part is bound to the underlaying structure where options are stored 
=> that makes it more work to change stuff.

> - Crosscompiling: The compiler file name is hidden in Tools - Settings instead
> of in the project settings.

If it is cross compiling (using same compiler version), and if the 
compiler is installed (as cross compiler):
Project Options > Compiler opts > Config and Target

> - For a new installation of Lazarus: The most important quick start icons have
> to be configured again at the bottom of the source code window. So that fast
> and smooth work is possible. Instead of placing them like this from the start.
> The many confusing windows I have already mentioned above.
You mean the editor toolbar?
I don't know if it has ever been discussed, if/what the default config 
for it should be.

> Am Mittwoch, 16. Oktober 2024, 04:00:30 CEST schrieb DougC via fpc-pascal:
>> I don't think the situations are vary similar, so I don't think the
>> comparison is useful.
> I mainly wanted to say that it is possible to do so without extensive
> marketing. Linux is another example. Linux does not spend a huge amount of
> money in marketing. It is widely used because it runs stable and for some
> other reasons.

However, Linux is marketed by countless people blogging and making 
videos, as well as mentioning in PC related press/magazines.

IMHO its 50/50

The impression a user gets when using the project can decide if they 
stay or turn away. But it does rarely bring them to the project to begin 
with.

And, the impression is not just what they explore on their own, but what 
help they have to explore. Not just language but also environment.
E.g., while I still prefer to search for text explanations of how to get 
an app to do what I need, I would guess that many people want a quick 
video showing them.
Yet, of course, no amount of help will change if the environment feels 
familiar or not. On the other hand, we don't want to pay for that by 
driving away old users, so we must preserve (at least as option) their 
preferred functionality and presentation.

But all that does not bring anyone new. It does at best help to keep 
them, once they are there. Word needs to be out, and it needs to be out 
on all channels/media, and as much as possible.

Hence IMHO: 50/50.

And of course, it isn't just agreeing on this. We obviously don't have 
many people for the marketing/social-media/... part.
But we also are limited on the implementation side.
Let's say we could find agreement on how to improve the editor-toolbar 
=> then who does it?  (initial changes, maintenance, options, ... not 
all needed for the toolbar, but for other  changes maybe...)
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