>It's contradictory that you would do whatever you like regardless of anyone else's opinions, ever and expect your software to be used by a large number of peop

>It's contradictory that you would do whatever you like regardless of anyone else's opinions, ever and expect your software to be used by a large number of people. Who said you expect or want "a large number of people" in the first place? You might put your project out there just for the potential valuable contributors to help with the code, not for the end users. And one can imagine someone creating something unique with no regard for what people are saying, and still expecting them to embrace it. Because he thinks his vision is perfect or better than what exists. Kind of like Ford's quote "If I had asked people what they wanted, I would have given them faster horses". But the problem with all the above is the absolutism. You don't have to "_never_ listen" as you imply. A project leader might listen to user opinions sometimes, and don't care at all about their opinions on other aspects of his program that he feels adamant about. E.g it's not like DHH _never_ listens and does whatever he likes "regardless of anyone else's opinions". He only does that for FEW aspects of the project. >If you want to "write your OWN project, YOUR way" you are not making a public tool, you are making a private tool that is available publicly. Yes. A lot of projects are like that and people should understand that and respect your decision, instead of bitching about it.