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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28028781 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28028781 Top comment from two years ago now is about bad readme and website

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28028781 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28028781 Top comment from two years ago now is about bad readme and website too. FWIW I used to use this or a similar application almost a decade ago. This seems like either the same thing or a fork. It made a big difference.

frozenport 4y ago
Imagine making program about fonts and renderings that shows no screenshots or motivating examples.
- madmoose 4y ago
  Imagine making something you're proud of, putting your work online for free and having people insult you because they didn't like how you presented it. I'm sure you've really motivated them to improve it now!
  - khazhoux 4y ago
    You're confusing an extremely on-point criticism with insult. The creator of this thing is making a terrible mistake in the work they're proud of, to expect anyone to download and install this software without any indication of what's good about it.
    - madmoose 4y ago
      It what I responded to was “an extremely on-point criticism” then so was my comment. The comment I responded to was phrased insultingly. There’s no way to start a critique with a phrase of the form “Imagine doing what you’re currently doing” and have it come across positively. Many people feel entitled to insult things they get for free. If you’re going to critique something you got for free, at least at have the courtesy to lead with the positive. The comment I responded to lead with the insult and ended there.
      - NBJack 4y ago
        Actually, the comment was a thought exercise in advertisement and promotion. No need to shoot the messenger here. I too was rather confused as to WTH was being recommended.
      - 71bw 4y ago
        You're trying to find a hidden meaning in that comment which simply isn't there, buddy. The comment was straight to the point and simply correct, and you just made an ass out of yourself.
      - deleted 4y ago
        [deleted]
    - marginalia_nu 4y ago
      If it was a paid product, this line of reasoning would make sense. Having sub-optimal advertisement would be bad, since it would impact sales. The work would have been a pointless waste of time. Since this is free code they're just giving away, the benefit from marketing it well is just not there. If it's great and you don't install it because it's marketed poorly, that's entirely your loss.
      - deafpolygon 4y ago
        You realize how insane that comment is, right? Regardless of sales, there is simply no indication or incentive for anyone to download it or try it out. What if it doesn't do what you imagine? Or changes something that breaks your system? What recourse then? Is it the end user's fault?
        marginalia_nu 4y ago
        Well if you don't get anything out of anyone downloading or trying it, not even an indication they've done so, why would you incentivize anyone to do so? > What if it doesn't do what you imagine? Or changes something that breaks your system? What recourse then? Is it the end user's fault? This is true even with screenshots and advertisement.
        deafpolygon 4y ago
        Ha, ok. If I have some crapware to sell, you'll be my first customer.
        marginalia_nu 4y ago
        The point is, nobody is selling this.
nickm12 4y ago
It's quite an example of how not to explain your open source project. I followed the link, scanned through the first third of readme, went to the website, then came back here to figure out what this is exactly.

frozenport 4y ago

Imagine making program about fonts and renderings that shows no screenshots or motivating examples.

madmoose 4y ago
Imagine making something you're proud of, putting your work online for free and having people insult you because they didn't like how you presented it. I'm sure you've really motivated them to improve it now!
- khazhoux 4y ago
  You're confusing an extremely on-point criticism with insult. The creator of this thing is making a terrible mistake in the work they're proud of, to expect anyone to download and install this software without any indication of what's good about it.
  - madmoose 4y ago
    It what I responded to was “an extremely on-point criticism” then so was my comment. The comment I responded to was phrased insultingly. There’s no way to start a critique with a phrase of the form “Imagine doing what you’re currently doing” and have it come across positively. Many people feel entitled to insult things they get for free. If you’re going to critique something you got for free, at least at have the courtesy to lead with the positive. The comment I responded to lead with the insult and ended there.
    - NBJack 4y ago
      Actually, the comment was a thought exercise in advertisement and promotion. No need to shoot the messenger here. I too was rather confused as to WTH was being recommended.
    - 71bw 4y ago
      You're trying to find a hidden meaning in that comment which simply isn't there, buddy. The comment was straight to the point and simply correct, and you just made an ass out of yourself.
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]
  - marginalia_nu 4y ago
    If it was a paid product, this line of reasoning would make sense. Having sub-optimal advertisement would be bad, since it would impact sales. The work would have been a pointless waste of time. Since this is free code they're just giving away, the benefit from marketing it well is just not there. If it's great and you don't install it because it's marketed poorly, that's entirely your loss.
    - deafpolygon 4y ago
      You realize how insane that comment is, right? Regardless of sales, there is simply no indication or incentive for anyone to download it or try it out. What if it doesn't do what you imagine? Or changes something that breaks your system? What recourse then? Is it the end user's fault?
      - marginalia_nu 4y ago
        Well if you don't get anything out of anyone downloading or trying it, not even an indication they've done so, why would you incentivize anyone to do so? > What if it doesn't do what you imagine? Or changes something that breaks your system? What recourse then? Is it the end user's fault? This is true even with screenshots and advertisement.
        deafpolygon 4y ago
        Ha, ok. If I have some crapware to sell, you'll be my first customer.
        marginalia_nu 4y ago
        The point is, nobody is selling this.

nickm12 4y ago

It's quite an example of how not to explain your open source project. I followed the link, scanned through the first third of readme, went to the website, then came back here to figure out what this is exactly.