Re: Re: Is CPAN usable now?

[markjugg]

I also feel like CPAN needs a user interface improvement and I've also read the articles that Sam references. I would still like to see a ratings and comment system added to the site.

When I have to dig through a lot of similar options, I'm wondering "but which modules are other people using, and why?". A ratings and comment system would answer that question for me. I think this model has been established through sites like Amazon.com, Slashdot.org, and PerlMonks.org. The comments are important in addition to just having ratings, because the comments explain _why_ a module is rated highly. Maybe a module is rated highly, but for reasons I dislike. I could also take into account that a module that's rated highly from a pool of 4 people is not as meaningful as a module that's rated highly be 40 people.

-mark

[belg4mit]

I honestly see no benefit in any sort of ratings system. The code is free and easy to peruse. If it is not easy, and lacks documentation, throw it away and try another module with similar functionality if available. Rinse. Repeat.

Other than that, I would say in order the important attributes for choosing a module are:

• It does what you want (duh)
• You like it
• It isn't overboard for the job
• You've heard of it / Other people like it

--
perl -pew "s/\b;([mnst])/'$1/g"

[tstock]

If we put some more work to Module Reviews, it would also help choosing between popular modules. More than one review per module would even be better

tstock