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Why is open source software so badly designed?
- WantonQuantum 4y agoI'd like to see a concrete example. The article says Firefox is badly designed but doesn't say what's wrong with it. I'm using Firefox right now and have no issues with it. But then, I'm a developer.
- jleyank 4y agoThey said that a lot of the computer projects started as a means to scratch an itch the initial author(s) had. It continues in this vein, solving the problems that bother the developers. It's not making a product in a traditional or expected sense - that requires an understanding of a larger, less-technical community. It aims to satisfy those that work on it, and it usually does. Satisfying others is a side effect, albeit being a pleasant one. Yes, things like Linux grow far beyond their initial creation but these have had wide-spread, corporate support. And it's still run by its initial guru. I don't think many people would sign up to fulfil the dreams of others unless it's a shared dream. Or they're paid.
- simonblack 4y agoHow can volunteer-driven projects become successful? First of all, define what 'success' means. Does it 'look good' rather than 'work well'? Or does it 'work well' even if it doesn't 'look good'? Who decides when it 'looks good' enough? Who decides when it 'works well' enough? I have never struck the piece of software that is 'perfect'. Even when the developers, designers and promoters are members of billion-dollar companies. Remember the old 'Size, Quality and Cost' triangle? The same triangle applies to everything be it my house or somebody's software.
- nikau 4y agoThis is written by someone who has never used enterprise commercial software.