6 ms·
Here is where OSS could really shine - make clones of old programs and give them modern features while keeping the old-school, actually-working interfaces. Rath
by flenserboy 5y ago
Here is where OSS could really shine - make clones of old programs and give them modern features while keeping the old-school, actually-working interfaces. Rather than cloning the current (or near-current) iteration of Office, make a file-compatible version that's a snap to use and avoids as much interface fluff as possible. Applications are for work, and should facilitate work.
Imagine a Word 5-equivalent WP (and no, AbiWord is nowhere near that), a WP 5.1 clone, a XyWrite that knows OpenType, a dBase-style interface (definitely not a clone) for a modern, free database system. Those older programs simply worked, had command systems that could be explored and learned (shoot, before the Ribbon even Office could be sussed out through experimentation), and were about work. As much as I appreciate what I can do, capability-wise, with modern systems, the people who design them don't seem to be the people who use them.
- dmitriid 5y agoOSS doesn't have money for good design, because good design costs money and commitment. Both are the things OSS projects struggle with.
- zozbot234 5y agoOSS has the best designs, at least on the desktop. And it's becoming quite competitive in mobile and touch interfaces, too.
- dmitriid 5y ago> OSS has the best designs, at least on the desktop Where? OSS is consistently a mish-mash of unfinished ideas.
- na85 5y ago>OSS has the best designs, at least on the desktop. I guess you haven't used GIMP
- dmitriid 5y agoI'll admit I haven't used in a long time. It's definitely been improving for a long time, but my recollection of it has always been as being somewhat messy. Compare, say, to Affinity, Pixelmator, Procreate...
- the_duke 5y agoWhich apps are you referring to? I couldn't name a single open source desktop apps which has good UX or design. It's natural, since these are built by developers, not designers, and they primarily care about functionality and don't have to entice users with good looks and UX. I do know some Android apps that are pretty good, eg RedReader for Reddit.
- HKH2 5y agoDoes Syncthing count?
- tonyedgecombe 5y agoNo, I found it really cumbersome to use. Although I will say that is the case for every sync product I've tried and I have tried most of them.
- sprkwd 5y agoVLC?
- HKH2 5y agoIn Linux, VLC won't quit. It will just minimize to the tray, but block anything else from being opened. It seems the only option is pkill-ing it.
- akho 5y agoFunctionality is part of UX. Also, “good” is a very high (and ambiguous) bar. Can you name any commercial apps you believe to be good?
- HKH2 5y agoHandbrake is probably the best I've seen at balancing simple and advanced options.
- HKH2 5y agoAlso, why bother with GUIs when you've got a CLI and a decent-sized keyboard?