Bug 81298

Summary:	Whistle-blowing about this community spirit
Product:	LibreOffice	Reporter:	actionmystique <actionmystique>
Component:	LibreOffice	Assignee:	Not Assigned <libreoffice-bugs>
Status:	RESOLVED INVALID
Severity:	enhancement	CC:	cno
Priority:	medium
Version:	unspecified
Hardware:	All
OS:	All
Whiteboard:
Crash report or crash signature:		Regression By:

Description actionmystique 2014-07-13 15:51:49 UTC

I've been aware of the following situation for a long time in this "forum", but I thought it would improve over time. Since it hasn't changed at all, I feel I have to blow the whistle on this.

As I have already written in a specific thread, here's the situation:

1) Almost all bug reports "checkcers" don't even consider bug reports when they can't get the original file(s);

2) The same people mark bug reports as "Resolved - Invalid / Not A Bug" even when they are unable to confirm or deny them for whatever reason: no original file, different environment, ...

3) It is not always possible for the bug reporters to hand over their original file(s), for many different reasons that are beyond the scope of this thread.

I believe it is always possible for the checkers to trust the "reporters" and follow the "steps to reproduce" on their own material ***first***; if they can't do that, they probably should ask themselves about their true motivations in this forum. It is rare that the reporters use tricky configurations with tricky files and so on.
Moreover, in case these steps are unclear, the "reporters" are usually available to clarify their point, otherwise they would not have spent their time in the first place.
Only then can some files be uploaded to check some very uncommon settings.

If the checkers continue to become more and more inflexible on this "file issue", the risks are that some reporters will probably drop their cases and their involvement in this forum; the related bugs will remain within LO for a long time...

Is this what the checkers really want?

Comment 1 Cor Nouws 2014-07-13 20:00:43 UTC

Hi friend mystigue,

Thanks for bringing your idea / concern here.
Speaking for myself: sometimes I do make a test document myself, sometimes I don't. Depending on complexity, mood (being 'just' a volunteer), ..
Anyway, try to stay polite and reasonable. 
No idea how all others handle or the 'average score' is ;)

Have you brought up this concern on the QA mailing list? I think it's best brought there..
Ciao,
Cor

Comment 2 Cor Nouws 2014-07-13 20:01:19 UTC

(In reply to comment #1)

> don't. Depending on complexity, mood (being 'just' a volunteer), ..

and not to forget of course: time

Comment 3 Urmas 2014-07-14 04:11:45 UTC

1. Some issues cannot be investigated without a document.
2. Most reporters never write back or answer the questions.
3. With most office file formats it is very easy to hide sensitive information without affecting the file structure.

If the reporter is not able to support a coherent dialog in English about their issue, they should not bother with it in the first place or find somebody to act in their place.

Comment 4 actionmystique 2014-07-14 06:45:06 UTC

The QA mailing list is a good idea, although I'm not sure which one is the most appropriate one.
Also, discussing about this issue is a start( which can raise concern.
This thread has already been marked as "Resolved Invalid": that's exacltly my point.

Comment 5 Cor Nouws 2014-07-14 07:11:42 UTC

(In reply to comment #4)
> The QA mailing list is a good idea, although I'm not sure which one is the
> most appropriate one.
  
I thought we only have one
  libreoffice-qa@lists.freedesktop.org  
  https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/QA

> Also, discussing about this issue is a start( which can raise concern.

It's myabe hard to find a balance in all this.

> This thread has already been marked as "Resolved Invalid": that's exacltly
> my point.

This bugtracker of course is not the right place to discuss this.

Comment 6 Adolfo Jayme Barrientos 2014-07-15 09:30:01 UTC

(In reply to comment #0)
> I've been aware of the following situation for a long time in this "forum",

Exactly. This is not a forum. It is a bug tracker. And a shared one, FWIW.

Don’t be misled. This ticket was marked “invalid” because it’s not a bug in any of the software products that track *bugs* in this Bugzilla instance. That’s the only reason.