Comment Developing for Others (Score 1) 162
I think it can be summed up that Open Source faces challenges when the developers are working on code "for other people" not themselves. Two of the most successful Open Source projects are GNU (excuse me, Free Software) and the Linux Kernel. I think you can categorize both of these as situations where the developer is classified as a user of the end product. It is in their interest to make the best product possible because it actually helps their own cause.
The case of the SchoolTool was that it was being developed by developers who didn't have a vested interest in making it work or at least faced no consequence if the tool didn't work.
Not to open another can of worms but I think this can extend to other situations such as Desktop Environments. A lot of talk about making stuff "Grandma Friendly" or similar mantra removes the developer even further from an interest in the user experience rather than add the focus people are hoping for.
-Eyst
The case of the SchoolTool was that it was being developed by developers who didn't have a vested interest in making it work or at least faced no consequence if the tool didn't work.
Not to open another can of worms but I think this can extend to other situations such as Desktop Environments. A lot of talk about making stuff "Grandma Friendly" or similar mantra removes the developer even further from an interest in the user experience rather than add the focus people are hoping for.
-Eyst
