From d17fd03514d0824371a5cb861c6aa1bacb85c54a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Richard M. Stallman" Date: Sat, 22 Mar 1997 07:36:21 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Explain which tasks are better, generally. --- etc/tasks.texi | 19 ++++++++++++++++--- 1 file changed, 16 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) diff --git a/etc/tasks.texi b/etc/tasks.texi index 4b0d79eeb8b..4555d64180f 100644 --- a/etc/tasks.texi +++ b/etc/tasks.texi @@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ @setfilename tasks.info @settitle GNU Task List @c UPDATE THIS DATE WHENEVER YOU MAKE CHANGES! -@set lastupdate 1 February 1997 +@set lastupdate 19 March 1997 @c %**end of header @setchapternewpage off @@ -53,8 +53,21 @@ tools or programming languages, we have a comparative shortage of applications useful for non-programmer users. Therefore, we ask you to consider writing such a program. -In general, a new program that does a completely new job advances the -GNU project more than an improvement to an existing program. +Typically, a new program that does a completely new job advances +the GNU project, and the free software community, more than an +improvement to an existing program. + +Typically, new features or new programs advance the free software +community more, in the long run, than porting existing programs. One +reason is that portable new features and programs benefit people on many +platforms, not just one. At the same time, there tend to be many +volunteers for porting---so your help will be more valuable in other +areas, where volunteers are more scarce. + +Typically, it is more useful to extend a program in functionality than +to improve performance. Users who use the new functionality will +appreciate it very much, if they use it; but even when they benefit from +a performance improvement, they may not consider it very important. @node Documentation @chapter Documentation -- 2.39.2