I beg you, if you are a developer of an open source app or program - add screenshots of your app to the README file. When looking for the perfect app, I had to install dozens of them just to see what the user interface looked like and whether it suits me. This will allow users to decide if the app they choose will suit them… Please, don’t think about it, just do it…

  • TCB13@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    1 year ago

    Dear open source app user: feel free to improve the README file of the projects you come across by adding a few screenshots you believe are relevant.

    • TCB13@lemmy.world
      2·
      1 year ago

      Although I understand the OP’s perspective open-source is a community effort and people should have a more proactive attitude and contribute when they feel things aren’t okay. Most open-source developers aren’t focused / don’t have time for how things look (or at least not on the beginning). If you’re a regular user and you can spend an hour taking a bunch of screenshots and improving a readme you’ll be making more for the future the project that you might think.

      • jecxjo@midwest.socialEnglish
        0·
        1 year ago

        When the last big Twitter migration to Mastodon occurred there were a lot new users complaining about things like documentation, bugs, etc. Old users and FLOSS supporters kept pushing the “its open source, write a doc or fill out a bug ticket” and evem included documentation on how to do those tasks.

        Most people just continued to complain. /facepalm

        • OrnateLuna@lemmy.blahaj.zone
          2·
          1 year ago

          We just don’t live in a world where making the changes you want are encouraged. We have been thought to just accept whatever changes happen or at most file a suggestion that almost noone will listen to. Obviously open source is different but it’s still such a tiny minority compared to how the rest of the world functions

    • IceMan@lemmy.one
      1·
      1 year ago

      As both user and developer - user CAN contribute but the developer/maintainer SHOULD add the screenshots.

    • KevonLooney@lemm.ee
      1·
      1 year ago

      If the app sucks, few people will add the screenshots. Therefore, most apps without screenshots will suck. So new apps will need the developer to add screenshots, or people will assume it sucks.

      And we’re back to square one. The developer has extra responsibility to highlight the features.