Re: Dia: Why is it so hard to do simple things? dia-list Digest, Vol 89, Issue 7



Tech Support Department wrote:
Friend, I understand and share in your frustration.  As far as I can
understand it, the majority of the free and open source software (FOSS)
community is just creating software to serve their own needs.  That others
may use it is besides the point.

You are mistaken. There is very little FOSS software that is created
without the fact that others will use it in mind. User interfaces may
not always be as sophisticated, but they are made so people in general
can use the software.
Sure, sometimes features are included because a developer is needing
that feature, but that is no less than logical. After all, they are
using the program and they are not getting paid for making it. If you
miss a certain feature, you are free to do the same and add it
yourself.

Their web site's existence is evidently
not a promotion of the product for others to use.

There are two things at work here.

First, there is the fact that indeed, the website is not promotional
material. They do not need as many users as possible in order to make
more money, so they do not have a website made to attract new users.

Secondly, nobody is paid to maintain the website. That means that the
website isn't always up to date, complete and all that. That's too
bad, really, but it is the hard reality of things here. It is
typically also one of those things you could be helping out with
yourself, even if you do not know how to program.

Also, keep in
mind that they are doing something in their own way, and they are not
necessarily wanting to do it as others may desire, since that is not their
goal.

Have you ever met a software company that is catering to every need of
every single user?
And now you expect people who are doing this without getting paid to
do just that? As actually, you are saying that because your wishes
weren't what the project did.
Sure, paid projects may cater to the masses more, but they are getting
paid. And often this is not even a problem of them not wanting to do
it as you want to see it, but just the fact that other things may have
a higher priority and they can't just hire an extra programmer on an
open source project...

Thanks,

Jasper



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