User forums > General (but related to Code::Blocks)

Release Early, Release Often

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joat:
I think that the fact that RC2 is over a year old is really hurting the project. When I first found the Codeblocks website and saw how old RC2 was I figured the project was pretty dead (this was before the site was changed to point people to the nightly builds). To verify if the project was dead I figured I'd check out the forums to see if there was any info about the status of the project. I found that the forums were quite active and that there were nightly builds being posted. Nevertheless, I really didn't want to be bothered with figuring out which nightly build  was the most stable to use or bothering to check the forums every day and download and install a newer build. I then went back to using Dev-C++ since I really hadn't had any trouble with it. Later on my curiosity finally overcame me and I went back to the site and downloaded a nightly build to try out. Once I ran Codeblocks I was hooked. The problem that I see is - what about all the people who don't want to be bothered with updating every day so they don't even try Codeblocks out?

I am very enthusiastic about Codeblocks and I believe the developers are doing a fantastic job. However, I would suggest that you guys take a look at http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue3_3/raymond/ - especially the section entitled "Release Early, Release Often." It is a very interesting article with some good points about open source development. I know you guys are sick of having people bug you about RC3, so here's my point - please just pick a nightly build, branch it, and then eliminate the bugs for a bit and call it RC3. I know you have a feature list for RC3 and that everything isn't quite ready, but just make the current RC3 feature list for RC4. RC feature lists don't have to be set in stone and by waiting so long I think the project is really hurt in terms of gaining users. Another possible solution would be to add an auto update feature to Codeblocks (yes I know this is in the feature list for RC3) and allow it to update by releases or nightly builds. This would satisfy people that just want to run a stable version and people that enjoy tinkering with the cutting edge. I think that having Codeblocks update itself would also take care of people not wanting to go to the forums to find out if there's a new build and then download and install it every day. Having an updated stable release would really help the project. All I ask is that you at least take my experiences with Codeblocks and suggestions into consideration.

troels:

--- Quote from: joat on November 22, 2006, 11:52:30 pm ---I know you guys are sick of having people bug you about RC3...
--- End quote ---
Even so, I'll chime in and second what joat says above, RC3 is overdue. If code-completion is what is holding you back, just disable it by default, so what if one feature is not there yet, even a popular one. CB is well-constructed, this is what counts. "Feature-completeness" can be left for version 1.1.
Regards

bertg:
I'm still using RC2 because it somewhat works the way I want.
Trying to use NB's for my development work has been too much of a mental hurdle for me.
I know the developers have every right to do with this project whatever they want.
If they want to play teasing games by dangling an RC3 in front of the user community and then going off on an endless refactoring fest - that's their call.
But I find this unfortunate because I would not like to see this great project dying a slow death.

BigAngryDog:
My opinion and suggestion as a grateful user...


>I think that the fact that RC2 is over a year old is really hurting the project.

I agree.


>If code-completion is what is holding you back, just disable it by default,

I agree.


By the time C::B eventually reaches release status, the world could have moved on.

90% of visitors will see the web site home page and never bother with a nightly.

If you have to pick a recent nightly which is stable, give it an installer and call RC3--then do that.

BCCISProf:
In the meantime, there is a Windows XP installer for the whole package as well as a manual here:

http://www.sci.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~goetz/codeblocks/

We try to keep the installer reasonably updated with a stable nightly build and will continue to do so.

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