As it happens, I now like both VE and Image Viewer as optional features. I didn't appreciate how they were deployed.
The constitutional crisis that WMF created by using Superprotect to force Image VIewer on the communities was arrogant, disproportionate, politically unwise, and wasteful. Although WMF has backed off from this position a bit, it has never apologized for it AFAIK, and this is one in a number of experiences that is informing the community thinking about strategic alternatives to WMF.
Let me contrast this with Echo, which had some initial pains but was accepted by the community with relative ease. It's still one of my favorite features, and I look forward to its continued development.
Piine
On Tue, Jan 19, 2016 at 9:00 AM, Anthony Cole ahcoleecu@gmail.com wrote:
Magnus, regarding, "...at some point, you have to leave the test environment, and test your product against reality."
Of course. But VE was far, far too bad for real time when it was released. Really. It was driving newbies away. The sensible embracers-of-change threw it out, in the end. The squealing Ludites don't have the numbers for that. When the sensible majority starts squealing, the developers really need to pay attention.
I didn't follow it carefully but it seemed to me the release of the Image Viewer was much better timed and handled. Ludites squealed but genuine concerns were addressed promptly and respectfully.
Anthony Cole