The free/cheap entitlement definitely seeps into FOSS areas. I periodically see things like “this app/platform NEEDS to have all of the functionality of the paid one, be free and easy to set up” or particularly contradictory “a Linux phone NEEDS to have reliable calls, texts, support my banking apps, WhatsApp, have modern hardware, and cost $200”
I like the idea of free software, but users shouldn’t expect people to do the work for them for free. If there’s software I need that’s free, great. If there’s no free version, I’m not owed one and I’m not gonna complain until I get one.
Complaining is part of contributing ideas. You can contribute code, or ideas, or both. Have a look at [email protected].
One good principle that’s aligned with what you’re saying is that every FOSS contributor desides for themself what work to do. It’s uncivil to try to task someone in partcular with work. No one should be personally pushed to do work. Avoid that, and there is nothing wrong with reporting bugs and making suggestions generally to the commons.
The free/cheap entitlement definitely seeps into FOSS areas. I periodically see things like “this app/platform NEEDS to have all of the functionality of the paid one, be free and easy to set up” or particularly contradictory “a Linux phone NEEDS to have reliable calls, texts, support my banking apps, WhatsApp, have modern hardware, and cost $200”
(or variations thereof)
I like the idea of free software, but users shouldn’t expect people to do the work for them for free. If there’s software I need that’s free, great. If there’s no free version, I’m not owed one and I’m not gonna complain until I get one.
Complaining is part of contributing ideas. You can contribute code, or ideas, or both. Have a look at [email protected].
One good principle that’s aligned with what you’re saying is that every FOSS contributor desides for themself what work to do. It’s uncivil to try to task someone in partcular with work. No one should be personally pushed to do work. Avoid that, and there is nothing wrong with reporting bugs and making suggestions generally to the commons.