Do open source software developers listen to their users?

Authors

  • Arif Raza The University of Western Ontario
  • Luiz Fernando Capretz The University of Western Ontario

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v17i3.3640

Keywords:

usability, open source software (OSS), developers

Abstract

In application software, the satisfaction of target users makes the software more acceptable. Open source software (OSS) systems have neither the physical nor the commercial boundaries of proprietary software, thus users from all over the world can interact with them. This free access is advantageous, as increasing numbers of users are able to access OSS; there are more chances of improvement. This study examines the way users’ feedback is handled by OSS developers. In our survey, we have also inquired whether OSS developers consult professional usability experts to improve their projects. According to the results, majority of OSS developers neither consider usability as their top priority nor do they consult usability experts.

Author Biographies

Arif Raza, The University of Western Ontario

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Luiz Fernando Capretz, The University of Western Ontario

Associate Professor and Assistant Dean (IT and e-Education), Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

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Published

2012-03-07

How to Cite

Raza, A., & Capretz, L. F. (2012). Do open source software developers listen to their users?. First Monday, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v17i3.3640