Comments on: On git and usability http://blog.nelhage.com/2010/01/on-git-and-usability/ It's software. It's made of bugs. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 07:46:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Matt Fowles http://blog.nelhage.com/2010/01/on-git-and-usability/comment-page-1/#comment-654 Matt Fowles Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:10:38 +0000 http://blog.nelhage.com/?p=64#comment-654 <p>I have had some luck explaining that the "index" is actually just an incredibly badly named "staging area", but that may not solve some later difficulties, it just gets beyond the initial one.</p> <p>From my perspective, git harkens backs to the time when xserver's were difficult to setup and people said things like "if you can't install linux then you are not worthy of it". Although much of that would be ameliorated by simply improving the error checking and error messages.</p> I have had some luck explaining that the “index” is actually just an incredibly badly named “staging area”, but that may not solve some later difficulties, it just gets beyond the initial one.

From my perspective, git harkens backs to the time when xserver’s were difficult to setup and people said things like “if you can’t install linux then you are not worthy of it”. Although much of that would be ameliorated by simply improving the error checking and error messages.

]]> By: Getting started with Git – Emil Sit: Thoughts on Systems http://blog.nelhage.com/2010/01/on-git-and-usability/comment-page-1/#comment-639 Getting started with Git – Emil Sit: Thoughts on Systems Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:15:48 +0000 http://blog.nelhage.com/?p=64#comment-639 <p>[...] While the every-day command lists are helpful, most of the time, people would benefit more from getting a fundamental understanding of how git works. Here is a brief list of useful resources to help achieve [...]</p> [...] While the every-day command lists are helpful, most of the time, people would benefit more from getting a fundamental understanding of how git works. Here is a brief list of useful resources to help achieve [...]

]]> By: ø Government Websites are Amateur Hour | i love & hate you all - On understanding people. Or at least trying to ø http://blog.nelhage.com/2010/01/on-git-and-usability/comment-page-1/#comment-406 ø Government Websites are Amateur Hour | i love & hate you all - On understanding people. Or at least trying to ø Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:06:12 +0000 http://blog.nelhage.com/?p=64#comment-406 <p>[...] Made of Bugs » On git and usability [...]</p> [...] Made of Bugs » On git and usability [...]

]]> By: Charles O'Farrell http://blog.nelhage.com/2010/01/on-git-and-usability/comment-page-1/#comment-403 Charles O'Farrell Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:20:45 +0000 http://blog.nelhage.com/?p=64#comment-403 <p>Hi Nelson,</p> <p>I just wanted to say great post. I agree with pretty much everything here, and it certainly confirms the experiences that I have had teaching Git to people at my work.</p> <p>I just wanted to perhaps generalise the 'coming from SVN' statement. Most of team I work with have only dealt with Clearcase (poor bastards), which is far more confusing than SVN, but they still find Git daunting. I suppose, much like with SVN, they can learn a set workflow and not worry about the details most of the time. With Git you really are 'closer to the metal', and thus need to understand a little more of what's going on.</p> <p>In regards to the index - I personally don't try to avoid explaining it, although it usually does take a few tries before fully sinking in.</p> <p>I'm sure Git will slowly, but surely, improve the UI as time goes on. I certainly won't be using anything else for the foreseeable future.</p> <p>Charles</p> Hi Nelson,

I just wanted to say great post. I agree with pretty much everything here, and it certainly confirms the experiences that I have had teaching Git to people at my work.

I just wanted to perhaps generalise the ‘coming from SVN’ statement. Most of team I work with have only dealt with Clearcase (poor bastards), which is far more confusing than SVN, but they still find Git daunting. I suppose, much like with SVN, they can learn a set workflow and not worry about the details most of the time. With Git you really are ‘closer to the metal’, and thus need to understand a little more of what’s going on.

In regards to the index – I personally don’t try to avoid explaining it, although it usually does take a few tries before fully sinking in.

I’m sure Git will slowly, but surely, improve the UI as time goes on. I certainly won’t be using anything else for the foreseeable future.

Charles

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