Re: [TSVN] how should the UI look like

Mark Phippard wrote:
> I think it is going to cause a lot more problems to arm a bunch of idiots
> with the ability to easily steal each others locks.

I imagine you don't spend much time with your TSVN users, seeing as
you're calling them a bunch of idiots :-).

> If the user does not
> understand locks enough to know that they can use unlock to break the other
> person's lock, then they probably shouldn't be stealing locks to begin
> with.

So it should be hidden with a magic spell, and the idiots that need it
will magically know that spell?

> I am not against providing a UI to accomplish this,

It sounded a bit like you were for a moment.

> I just do not
> think it should be right in front of you to the point that you just check a
> box that you do not understand and cause unintended consequences.

I think that in your particular use case (your users are idiots), you
need to disable stealing of locks administratively on the Subversion
server. If one of the idiots screwed up and one of the other idiots
needs a lock forced broken, they can call you to set things straight.

> What is worse, a confused user that has to ask someone in their group for
> help because they can't get a lock,

How would hiding the option in the UI help you in that situation?
Contradicting yourself a bit?

> or a confused user that causes changes
> to be lossed in an unmergeable file because they stole a lock?

Right, that's an unpleasant situation.
And you're right that the user interface has to be designed in a way
so that users actually get a warning, telling them that breaking locks
is a bad thing to do.

But once they get the warning, choose to ignore it, and then go on to
later get their asses spanked because someone did double work, they'll
have learned the lesson to not ignore the warning. Next time they
wont go around stealing, at least not without asking the guy with the
lock first.

No need to go hiding commands behind magical spells to accomplish that.

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Received on Sun Apr 10 02:26:00 2005