Re: gEDA-user: Marketing gEDA - was - Re: Professional PCB help using geda?

["Duncan Drennan" <duncan.drennan@xxxxxxxxx>]

There are a number of issues which need to be addresses around this,
but lets look at this one: barrier to entry.

On the cost front, the barrier to entry is very low - every one can afford gEDA.

Then you have a couple of other issues, which, to me, are all lumped
together in a new users mind, like environment, UI, and usage style.

In my (limited) experience all EDA/CAD users are working in a Windows
environment. This means that not only are they beginning with a new
programme, but they are also beginning with a new environment. Often
people go on courses just to start using a CAD package, the
environment is not an issue.

Now when someone moves over to gEDA after using a Windows based CAD
programme, they don't differentiate between the environment and the
CAD programme. They are not sitting there going, "Oh, I don't know how
scripting works in Linux", they are thinking, "How to I create a new
footprint? How do I generate a netlist? Where is the button to do
this?"

The immediate effect of this is that the barrier to entry is
significantly raised. Jumping over the technical hurdles means that
significant time and effort will be expended *just to get started.*
What has previously been intuitive is now much more complex. Then the
question of "real" cost starts to arise in the users mind, "Oh bugger,
if I don't get this design done by the end of the month I'm in big
trouble - let me go back to the CAD package I know, or find one that I
can afford, it will be quicker."

The sooner a new user grasps the concept of the design flow, the
sooner they will embrace the product. If they are unable to achieve
this within their own desired time frame they will move on to another
product. Free is just not a powerful enough incentive, and won't ever
be - the ability to complete the required tasks is.


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