How to make a "custom" expense report [was Re: Report customization nightmare]

[Manfred Usselmann]

On Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:18:07 -0400
Mike Leone <turgon at mike-leone.com> wrote:

> On 7/1/2010 5:58 PM, Manfred Usselmann had this to say:
> 
> >>
> >> The point has never been "Well, it's easy to fix". The point has
> >> been that something this simple should not need to be fixed.
> >
> > Well, if it's that easy just change it and make sure that there is
> > no need for such workarounds any longer. Just fix it instead of
> > wasting time with complaining.
> 
> I offered my opinion. I stated that I had been working around it for
> a year. I was not "complaining". I have not been "wasting" time. If
> you feel your time has been wasting reading these threads, then don't
> read them.
> 
> And expecting that any random end user has the technical skills (or 
> inclination) to provide technical programming patches, that would
> need to be vetted and tested, is extremely unrealistic, BTW. If they
> don't, then what? They shouldn't "complain"? And "waste" other's
> time? They should just meekly and silently stay in the background,
> never offering observations or suggestions?

No. But suggestions for improvement is something different than saying
it shouldn't be like that in the first place and it would have been
simple to design it differently (how do you know if you don't have the
technical skills as you say?). To me it sounded a little bit like you
think that the developers were stupid and you are able to do it better.
If I misunderstood you, I apologize.

> > Everybody can contribute in case your are not
> > aware and improvements are definitely welcome. I'm sure your are
> > able to fix 'something this simple' promptly.
> 
> I am contributing in my way. I am expressing an end-user's experience 
> with an aspect of the program. I am pointing out where it could be 
> better. I am offering examples of how I think it could be easier, 
> better, and more suited to what I believe the average end user would 
> need. I am providing feedback. If you don't find that of value ..
> then you don't.

I do agree with what you write here. Feedback is of course a useful way
of contributing and of value. It may just be that implementing your
suggestions is not as simple as you seem to think. Having a good
workaround in the meantime is useful as well I believe.