EECI2010 Top Ten, #9! Influence Development at Solspace’s CodeShare Corner
Top Ten Reasons Why EECI is the Event of the Year. Register now!
(photo by Matthew Pennell)
Here we see a classic EECI moment. Pictured above is Leevi Graham, the guy known for writing EE add-ons in his sleep, demoing a new EE module to EllisLab Technology Architect Derek Allard.
There were literally hundreds of such conversations that took place between EllisLab and you, the people. Each conversation was cataloged in a notebook. In fact, it was common to see someone from EllisLab with notebook and pen in hand taking scrupulous notes during or shortly after a conversation.
Allard and I would meet back at the hotel or over food and drinks and share them back and forth. And when we needed clarity on specifics, we just found the people the next morning and asked.
When EECI2009 concluded our collective notebooks traveled back across the ocean, were transcribed into digital form, and shared with the entire EllisLab team.
We estimate that 70% of all EE & CI development is driven by user feedback. We’re proud of how we consistently review feedback on the Feature Request forum, the Community Forums in general, and email. Our internal listening system works quite well and ensures that the community has a significant voice in our software’s development and direction.
But there is absolutely no doubt that these face to face conversations influence ExpressionEngine & CodeIgniter’s development more so than any other method. Sharing client war stories, implementation successes and failures, frustrations, victories, and ultimately understanding each other’s professional stories in person creates the best software. There is no digital intermediary to potentially muddy communication.
There are numerous features, fixes, and implementation strategies in EE 2 and CI that we can trace directly back to conversations at EECI2009.
EECI2010 will feature the CodeShare Corner (sponsored by Solspace), a space dedicated to sharing stories and ideas, coffee, snacks, and a calm environment to recharge yourself and your gear. If you’ve ever met Mitchell and the incredible EE add-on dev team at Solspace, then you know he is the perfect person to host such a gathering.
Its very likely you’ll find someone from EllisLab at the CodeShare Corner throughout EECI2010. Come find us. We’re looking forward to shaking your hand and hearing your story. See you at EECI2010.
