See Part I here: http://jksaur.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/the-question-of-ni-compensation-tr-developers/
Also read this post http://jksaur.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/adam-2-is-finally-announced-thank-you-mr-rohan-shravan/ for context
In my last post, I said NI needs to do the right thing by compensating TR developers. One of the key developers made it clear that he wasn't being paid, but was doing it out of interest and recognition. Fair enough.
Now, look at who the whole thing is spinning. Here are the facts based on information on NI's on blog and responses in TR blog. (Note also that if you search for Notion Ink ICS then almost all media articles position it as from Notion Ink, not from a small set of TR developers toiling for free)
1. Notion Ink announced Adam II with ICS support. This is a commercial company that says it is releasing ICS - officially. Can they clarify that this is not / will not be TR's version?
2. If it is TR's version, can we agree with what I said that a commercial company is getting its platform for free?
3. Look Rohan Shravan's own words on TR contribution "I understand your view, but the fact that ICS is not done in-house is not correct. We haven’t released the ICS build till now. There is an update button in settings, unless that gets active all ROMs are alpha ROMs. We also need to get the community up and engaged. Mr Deadlocked is not alone, and it’s not that we don’t have special relations with them, but I don’t find I fair to publish or share our relations with TR" - there are many things wrong with this.
He says "it's not done in-house is incorrect" which means we should assume ICS development is being done in-house. By NI. But we know to the extent we do that all releases so far were essentially TR's version.
He says "we need to get the community up and engaged" as if NI had a hand in engaging TR and developing them. Not that it was essentially TR's work that kept NI alive!
He also says it's not fair to publish relations with TR - that's hypocritical. On one hand he talks of community engagement, and then talks of secret arrangements.
Does it mean when ICS button becomes enabled, it will be a NI developed ICS and not TR's, Can anybody confirm that?
Having read this official announcement and Rohan's official clarification that "ICS not being done in-house is not true",
My conflict is this (links below) - NI refuses to acknowledge that TR did most/all of the work for ICS, and TR says their devs did most of the work and NI gave some "helpful" information. That's contradictory, so where's the credit where it's due?
Here's my message to the TR developers.
1. Stop development on ICS - now. If NI has a in-house work going on this shouldn't affect them, right? Seriously, time to stand up and not be taken for a ride. At least ask for explicit explanation of the relationship, and credit to developers for doing ICS for them.
2. Ask for a short term paid contract. I really mean this. They are announcing official ICS. That means it's time you do what's right in such a circumstance - ask for payment unless NI comes out and explicitly says that ICS is not from TR. A proper compensation is warranted!
3. Rohan talks of some relationship with TR, clearly doesn't acknowledge that TR is doing all the work, and TR admins aren't clear about it either - for e.g. read this thread, TR admin says their devs did all the work and NI provided some drivers and "helpful information" whatever that means. Why should an open community partnership be so murky?
I cannot believe that there people still out there behaving like this is all OK and right.
I work for TR and also on ICS port for Adam. I can share more interesting information for your blog!
ReplyDeleteLet me know.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteSince this partnership is considered community development, It'd be great to get your information so I can share it. Perhaps we'll get some more clarity on what's happening and make the debate less relevant!
At this point, even Andy doesn't seem to be totally up NI's ass at the moment -- progress?
ReplyDeletePutting aside Notion Ink and its own bullshit for a moment and attempting to put myself in the actual workers shoes, I CAN see why a few devs would essentially work for free and with little credit (outside the TR forums).
1. To get a better return on investment for Adam -- so it isn't a total wash of $400 or more. Fine, so I might value my own time more highly now, but there was a time when the "but I can make this more awesome!" nature would be an incentive and my own obligations would allow me to work on that kind of thing. When I was in college and used to hack my TiVo and Xbox, that was certainly part of the appeal. Granted, Microsoft and TiVo didn't ever offer my work as their own without compensation.
2. To get some experience at kernel level hacking and/or porting source alongside finicky drivers. Granted, turning those experiences into a future job (a la the lead Cynagyn dev) is unlikely, but if I was 10 years younger (19 and not 29), I guess I could see the appeal.
I don't have the skills to do what the TR devs are doing with ICS for Adam and the fact that they've done what they've done is amazing.
I agree with you that they SHOULD value their work more highly -- still, if they won't, I guess I can't fault them for wanting to help the other stranded users.
For NI to claim any credit for the release is what I find most reprehensible. I get that the company probably doesn't have any money to give (hence why their "prizes" for the Kivy contest are Adams -- not sure of Indian tax law but could that be a way to write off unsold stock without having to take an extra penalty?), but as you say, startup or not, to release this work as official with only a "thank you" and no monetary compensation is bullshit.
At least the change in processor type means that much of the TR guys work can't be easily replicated on Adam 2. NI will need to rely on some other schmucks (or TI partners) to do the hard work for them this time.
It's stunning that the few supporters still try to defend NI. What a terrible company and what horrible executives.
Totally irrelevant maybe....But a little birdie tweets,"another branch fell off the NI Familie".....Only if someone would explain...Which branch are we talking about....
ReplyDeleteHonestly Speaking, I totally APPRECIATE and APPLAUD Mr.Rohan Shravan...A man with guts/integrity/solidarity (Don't really know which word I should use here!)....Donno why you don't see it!! (duh!!)
ReplyDeleteSoooo many people are thrashing the Company/Product and mainly HIM...and yet he continues to survive almost at peace (LOL :-D)...OOoohh....that takes a lot of guts...seriously it does...If you screw up big time, will you ever live so peacefully, and talk about future products and revolutionizing the world when the first product buyer are crying their heart n pockets out...Nahh...it takes talent...Our Talented Mr.Shravan!!!! Bravo!!!
Has he ever..i mean EVER admitted to have committed any mistake at all?? One? Just one? The devs didn't do this, EAP screw up, Pre-order screw up, Order info screw-up, Chinese holidays, Logistics Partners aren't good, UI director (Ahem..donno what went wrong there..so no comments), partnership failures, mismanagement by the Management (except him ofcourse), LOGO Contest (remember anyone???), Manufacturing Company...Sun din really rise on time..etc etc etc etc....Phew...So much more to write..but i guess you understand that it was NEVER his/company's mistake that things din work out...Phalease understand!!!!! He never does things wrong..Mr.Perfectionist himself...Adore him for that :-)
After all he is a Genius (IITians are!! another LOL :-P)...Just that the whole world is conspiring against him...This year, he will finally make you and all of us understand what he/company has been upto for past 3 years almost..Come on...Plz give the guy some more time..and money ofcourse..
You go ahead Mr.Shravan, create a new world...Adams and Eves in Eden eating Apple... :-D
and then we will be left repenting for Original Sin...
ReplyDelete