Re: Margins for A4 sheet

[Michael Ross <michael e ross gmail com>]

I like the way Dia works, and find it very flexible.  I think learning the software is the best choice.  

I do not develop this code, however, I have seen the developers engage with people and incorporate new ideas and features, often.  This is what I observe.

(Leaving bugs out of this conversation - they DO get fixed.)

The first step is to make a polite and cogent use case explaining why the current function is not sufficient, and how the new function better serves users - without breaking anything that long time users think are exactly right.  Spell it out and give examples. Convenience may not be taken as a compelling reason; gradient fill and transparency might get more attention, for example.  This requires some back and forth with the developers, and it requires more than casual thought/complaint/type.  It requires and understanding of what Dia does, what its current uses look like, what is already planned for the future, and it has to be interesting to the developers. 

This is open source, and that means the people who work on it probably actually like its function as it is - or they would "fix" it.  I have learned that they are quite intelligent. And treating them as such by tone of communication is merely honoring their free, hard work, and giving them the respect they deserve.  

Do not waste their time with unclear description, and do not expect that they will agree with you, it can go either way.  You are welcomed, if you want to try to code the features yourself.  But, you need to work within the system to do that.  Again, you will get more worker bees with honey, than with vinegar.  Be mindful what you say and how, if you want to make progress.  Sometimes being persistent is very helpful, but be decent in your communication, even if you feel frustrated and unheard.  In my experience almost all suggestions are addressed.  This work competes with day jobs.

Circling back, this program works very well as it is, it is excellent IMO.  You can gain a lot by adapting yourself to it; or by buying the software that suits your needs better.

On Wed, Jun 11, 2014 at 11:11 AM, Andrey Repin <anrdaemon freemail ru> wrote:

Greetings, Dumitru Ursu!

> I don't mean to be rude, but if users point out year after year at some
> odd feature, then maybe is time to review that bit of UX?

No, it's time to carefully appraise the issue and make an informed decision.

> It's not a technical deficiency of SVG format, it's just a odd
> convention Dia developers choosed: I can see why they did it so, virtual
> paper allows for a infinite canvans, but most people are used to think
> in our phisical, finite world.

Again, you use the word "most" in which you only include yourself and your
immediate surroundings.


--
WBR,
Andrey Repin (anrdaemon freemail ru) 11.06.2014, <19:09>

Sorry for my terrible english...

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Michael E. Ross

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