Mmastodon first seen 14 h ago, last just now, peak #5
Developer pays strangers to test whether his README actually works
Original: I paid people to try and follow my README
Software developer Terence Eden paid people to attempt to follow the README instructions for one of his projects, to find out whether ordinary users could get it working. He argues that developers are poor at writing documentation, often leaving only outdated notes and links to abandoned forums. The experiment has drawn attention on developer forums and social media, sparking discussion about how poorly documented open-source projects treat their users.
Why now: The experiment resonates with developers who recognise how bad software documentation often is.
Rank over time, top of the chart is #1. 59 snapshots from 14 h ago to just now.
Evidence
- I paid people to try and follow my README · Terence Eden’s Blog
Developers suck at writing documentation. We like to say RTFM but often there ain't no FM to R. At best we have a half-arsed collection of notes, some obsolete tips, and a link to a desolate forum full of people asking the same questions again and again. That's no way to treat…
Elsewhere
API: https://socialmediatrends-api.osmike.com/v1/trends/1856839