HN Explorer

Ask HN: Best way to donate to improve Linux user experience?

11 points by Engineering-MD ↗ HN
After the multiple discussions about moving from Apple to linux, and how Linux isn’t ready for the masses due to poor user experience, problems and difficult solutions etc., I want to donate to help solve it. Which is the best open source project to donate to specifically improve this problem?

11 comments

[ 13.6 ms ] story [ 47.6 ms ] thread
diskzero
There have been various efforts over the years to improve the user experience for "desktop" linux users. I was deeply involved in one at Eazel over twenty years ago.

Before I make suggestions, I would like to turn the question back to you and get some more information.

What do you think defines good user experience? Are there any existing distributions or environments that come close to what •you* think represents good user experience?

Do you want to contribute financial resources, marketing resources, development resources or ...?

I would try to think outside of the GNOME/KDE boxes if you can, but it is perfectly acceptable to think either of those are good representatives.

Are there any existing solution out there that you think come close or any blue sky projects that really excite you?

Rather than just say "You should support Project X", I would like to know more about your thoughts and opinions.

Engineering-MD
All good questions. Good user experience is subjective and hard to define what is “good”. Reading the book “Design of everyday things” helped me think about what are good designs. In good designs, function dictates form- they are designed around how it is to be used.

I think desktop environments do think about user experience, and try to have a cohesive experience. Bad experience is easier to identify. Many programs, even major ones such as GIMP, libreoffice, or thunderbird don’t (in my opinion) prioritise user experience over features. As for blue sky thinking, while there are some interesting projects, I think linux just needs some consistency and a good baseline of UX to allow non technical consumers to easily use it. In many regards Apple gets this right on macOS (although maybe less so with recent changes, and with reduced options for power users), and many third party apps for Mac think carefully about their design. For the record, some unusual UX I like include concepts app (iOS), scrivener, iA writer, ‘bum too’ desktop environment, and pathways.nice.org.uk (niche)

I would like to financially donate as I lack time and necessary level of skill to directly help with projects.

diskzero
An option, and this requires a bit of research, is identify a project that seems to have forward momentum. You can donate to the foundation that supports it. I find that approach to be a bit too anonymous for me. What I prefer to do is find a project/app/library that I think could use help and is active. I then look at their source code repo and identify the most active developers. I then can choose to support them using Github/Patreon/crumbled envelopes filled with tattered $100 bills/whatever. That way I have a personal connection.
kazinator
GNU/Linux as systems have good user experience.

The biggest complaint is in the area of applications.

Especially from long time users of applications that don't run on GNU/Linux, who whine until they have a pixel-for-pixel, event-for-event exact equivalent.

"You can't be serious about about GNU Replacement Program; why it doesn't even have anything like the Floozney plugin. How can anyone use such a piece of garbage. And the UI looks like it's from about 2013."

[deleted]
(comment deleted)
phendrenad2
I've come to the conclusion that throwing money at the problem is counterproductive. Instead, throw time. File bug reports, loudly complain when user interface or user experience sucks. Promote projects that get things right, decry projects that get it wrong or are unresponsive to your demands.

Also, be selfish. When you're complaining about something, and the devs say "My grandmother can use it", don't just accept that their grandmother's user experience is more important than your own!

achempion
> how Linux isn’t ready for the masses due to poor user experience, problems and difficult solutions etc., I want to donate to help solve it.

I think the ship has sailed long time ago. Today, when users hear Linux on desktop, it means you have to use the console to have things done, which isn't a bad thing but makes software makes expect Linux users to sort out issues when on Mac/Windows if you fail to deliver working software it means your product is not existing in main distribution channel.

Take most common software package, Firefox, here is how to install it on Ubuntu: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-firefox-linux.

You have to install a flatpack first. As a user I want to go the the software website, click install and that's it. To make Linux usable on a desktop, it has to appeal. Currently the appeal is it's free and some of the distros don't have a spyware/ads integrated, which is awesome.

I can't see any ways of Linux and its 600 distros becoming flagship user experience, freeBSD on the other hand might have a chance.

fsflover
If you define "improve Linux user experience" as "more security", then you should donate to Qubes OS.