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If you don't have coding skills, why don't you help foss software by making it more user friendly instead? (lemmy.giftedmc.com)

submitted 11 months ago by haui_lemmy@lemmy.giftedmc.com to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Disclaimer

Not trying to blame anyone here. I‘m just taking an idea I‘ve read and spinning it further:

Intro

A lot of people use free open source software (foss), Linux being one of them. But a lot less actually help make this software. If I ask them why, they always say „I don’t have the coding skills!“.

Maybe its worth pointing out that you don‘t need them. In a lot of cases it’s better to not have any so you can see stuff with a „consumer view“.

In that situation you can file issues on github and similar places. You can write descriptions that non technical people can understand. You can help translate and so on, all depending on your skills.

Other reasons?

I‘d really like to know so the foss community can talk about making it worthwile for non coders to participate.

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[–] Broken_Monitor@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I think just spreading awareness is a step in the right direction. Most people I know just have no clue and continue purchasing the established mainstream programs. I encourage people to give GIMP a try instead of buying photoshop, or OfficeLibre instead of MSOffice. Most of them are ecstatic to save a couple hundred bucks. The more people that use FOSS software the more likely we are to get the support it needs.

[–] EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Gimp is way too complex for my needs, but Paint is too light in abilities.

So I use Paint.NET.

I'd rather use Pinta since that is open-source, but last I checked it was kind of abandoned.

[–] Broken_Monitor@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Good to know, sometimes when I just want to make a simple edit GIMP is a bit much. I will check that out!

[–] EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 11 months ago

I'm glad I could help!

Yeah, I've been using Paint.NET for years now. I never could find a foss replacement. It's that amazing in my experience.

[–] dingus@lemmy.world 1 points 11 months ago

Yeah, GIMP is really not very intuitive or user friendly imo. I have periodically tried it now and then, but I always gravitate back toward Paint.net

[–] haui_lemmy@lemmy.giftedmc.com 2 points 11 months ago

I really appreciate this positive comment. I fully agree. We need more people like you who understand open source, know that it doesnt work without contribution and has a non condescending attitude towards noobs. :)