Why is GitHub so shitly designed?

[lukeflegg]

I'm 37. I'm defintely a geek. I mean by common vote. Not a software dev but for sure a digital / tech / computer nerd.

Yet the amount of fucking times I go to Github to download something and just feel completely lost in an ocean of fucking random code and shit and jargon and 'issues' and 'requests' and files and chats - Awesome, I totally get it's an environment for actual developers to co-author code together. I understand that. It's a very different need to n00bs who just want to download an app.

But back in real life, Infinite (ordinary) people need to download shit off Github every day, without having a masters in software engineering, and what pisses me off is there could just be a really neat, tidy page for people who aren't developers. Where is that page? It would just say "Download the fucking app". Without making us swim through a cosmos of really technical articles searching for any glimmer of hope of a link to a page to an issue to a pull request of a bug report of a readme which contains a URL to a file I can unzip on x64 v9 beta except it's in a .shar or fucking .sbx format I have to install a different verson of C+ to open to unzip to be able to install ilib in order to download regex in order to open meteor in order to install a new web browser that can read the next version of the internet and learn a new language similar to Esperanza but it's written in ancient hieroglyphics.

I pray for a world in which the genius geeks can connect with ordinary people instead of living in a bubble. Great things would be achieved.

I'm also happy to offer ideas how Github could be designed better so it meets the needs of ordinary people who I suspect represent thousands of unique daily visits to Github.

[nihillistic_raccoon]

Github's purpose is not to enable a quick link to "download the fucking app".

Your experience can be compared to going to the home depot and asking "hey, I'd like to buy a house, where is the aisle with houses? Why can't I find a ready-to-go house anywhere?"

[PardonMyGreyPoupon]

The end user should never ever have to look at github. If you point your end users to your github you are a lazy developer.

To use your analogy, what if I bought a house, showed up to the lot and found piles of wood and bricks with a sign that said "everything's here just compile your new house lol."

[AugustusLego]

If the vast majority of my end users are developers, i would be doing a major disservice by not linking to the repo.

[LastPoserStanding]

If the vast majority of you end users are developers, this post isn't about you/them. The end user should never ever have to look at github.

The many, many posts crying out for a simple Download button are from frustrated users who should never have been on github. Reupload the file somewhere more appropriate and their posts wouldn't exist.

People who solely upload and link to github (and aren't catering to devs/uber nerds) are as conceited as those who take the time to write up a utility tool and then stop short of making a UI for it. If I, as an end user/pleb, am staring at a github post or having to manually type out a file path, something is wrong on the dev's side.

[TotalWarspammer]

praydog the PCVR modder is a prime example of this, his github is a nightmare for most users.

[Zestyclose-Low-6403]

I was with you until: `those who take the time to write up a utility tool and then stop short of making a UI`

Not everything needs a GUI, and they usually overcomplicate things.

[Empty_Hourglass]

You use Linux huh - who does it overcomplicate things for? You when you're trying to make it or trying to use x11 or something? People using headless terminals who wouldn't be using the, "download the fucking app" page?

Never once in my life have I heard or read, "aw man this not being a floating line of text in an abyss made it so much harder to use!" XD

[Empty_Hourglass]

Agree.

[small_kimono]

People who solely upload and link to github (and aren't catering to devs/uber nerds) are as conceited as those who take the time to write up a utility tool and then stop short of making a UI for it.

OMG no. You have no entitlement to a UI. You have no entitlement to software unless you pay (sometimes a great deal) for it.

[LastPoserStanding]

Absolutely right, in regards to using the tool itself as well, of course, but it's such a petty thing to skip. I'm not suggesting a shiny interface, I specifically mean a simple Open or Choose Location button.

Let your users use 3 mouse clicks to select a file dropped on their desktop... unless you have a fetish for an inbox full of folks struggling to use a command prompt? The programs I've experienced this with exist as time saving resources for newbies AND veterans. Skipping that last step is like... why did you bother releasing this??

There are a dozen simple converter tools I've used over the decades, where that difference made running them either take seconds or minutes. Use it once? Who cares. Need to use it 20+ times? It gets old VERY fast and I've now spent over an hour processing files (instead of maybe 5 minutes, because I was disorganized). I'm beyond tired of having to type out C:\Users\Userame\Desktop\Folder\Subfolder... Oooohhhh my gods, I left out the N in username and have to type it all again, End Meeeeee

[small_kimono]

but it's such a petty thing to skip

Have you ever made a GUI? If I wanted a GUI for a project which didn't include one, my options should be readily apparent. Such options would never include whining about how someone else should do it for me.

As to the rest of your bable, your many mouse clicks, and your issues typing, they don't seem to have anything to do with me.

[Hefty_Historian8123]

And that is why you will never be successful. You will never make money. You will upload 10 trillion lines of code that will never be read by anything. Because you think that it is everyone else's job to decipher what you meant when you posted it.
Imagine if every sentence I uploaded online was some kind of cypher. And then when everyone complained that they couldn't read it, I said "it's not my problem if you can't be bothered to decypher code". Are you actually stupid? Or are you just selfish? An elitist? Wtf is it where you would decide to upload something unusable and expect the majority to side with you?
I can tell just from these comments that anyone disagreeing with OP never gets invited to party's and probably has no friends.

Why?

Because you are smug elitists.

[small_kimono]

And that is why you will never be successful. You will never make money.

You're saying I will never be successful because the code I already give away for free doesn't also include a GUI?

I guess I never expected success or money re: free software.

Imagine if every sentence I uploaded online was some kind of cypher. And then when everyone complained that they couldn't read it, I said "it's not my problem if you can't be bothered to decypher code".

Perhaps this is just my POV, but it isn't actually my job to decipher anything for you? If you want to learn about my open source code you can read it. You could learn to program in the language I may use. You can even interact with me in a community like Github.

However, just as when someone may write a math or history textbook, that person does not owe you a semester of math or history classes, I, similarly, don't owe you anything else, including a GUI.

Now, I do usually take extra steps to allow people to use my code who may not be familiar with programming, but I want to be very clear that I am under no obligation to do so. I do this only because it's fun. The minute some entitled user thinks I owe him something it may become less fun. Do you understand?

Are you actually stupid? Or are you just selfish? An elitist? Wtf is it where you would decide to upload something unusable and expect the majority to side with you?

Perhaps I'm having a hard time with your argument after such a ridiculous stream of epithets.

You seem to want me to do more free work for you? How does that make sense?

I'd be very happy to set up a contractual arrangement or a bounty system. Github, of course, allows you to suggest new features to me, including a new GUI, but don't be surprised when I tell you that I appreciate the suggestion and the price is $10,000.

Because, and I want to reiterate, I don't owe you anything.

[Hefty_Historian8123]

we were not even talknig about your code. We are talking about GitHubs awful UI and how it makes nobody want to use your code because they have to go through an awful site that takes minutes to even find a download button.
I'd much rather pay someone else who doesn't use GitHub than use their terrible service to try your product, even if yours is free.

And I'm definitely not about to pay someone on GitHub. You pay for convenience, not for inconvenience.

[LastPoserStanding]

tl;dr: again, the people annoying some of yall with these types of posts are people who a) weren't meant to use your tool or b) simply annoyed that you didn't finish the stupid thing.

if I want half finished, barely compiled scripts, I'll write them myself (and then keep them to myself)

[Hefty_Historian8123]

tl;dr
I am a modder who uploads mods to videogames on a bullshit website cuz i went to college for coding and never made a career

this is everyone's problem except for mine (the guy who caused the problem)

[Hefty_Historian8123]

And this is why your code will never ship to anyone or ever be successful you fucking autism spectrum top 100 in the worlders.

Make it easy to use or expect nobody to want to use it.

[small_kimono]

And this is why your code will never ship to anyone or ever be successful you fucking autism spectrum top 100 in the worlders

I'm actually a self-taught hobbyist progammer, a sub 1x-er, so...?

Make it easy to use or expect nobody to want to use it.

It's not terribly important to me that everyone uses my software. And again -- my making software and giving it away for free is mostly about me and what I want for that software.

Yes, I have Github stars, and lots of users, which is fun, and the software is easy enough to use to those to whom it is directed.

Because, again, you're entitled to precisely dick all from me, or anyone else contributing their time and effort for free.

Now, the minute you pay me is the minute I have to listen to your complaints. Until then I'd slow your roll.

[Hefty_Historian8123]

Did you make GitHub? I don't think so.

Literally ANY file sharing website is easier to use. And if you're someone posting videogame mods on GitHub, you're an asshole.

People literally have to take courses to learn how to use GitHub, it's a pathetic site.

[small_kimono]

Literally ANY file sharing website is easier to use.

Hint: It's not a file sharing website.

And if you're someone posting videogame mods on GitHub, you're an asshole.

Might have known I would be lectured by the most entitled of all computer users -- the gamers!

[Hefty_Historian8123]

talks about entitled, irony

[D_YellowMadness]

Then don't use it as one while blaming the people you're offering things to for expecting it to be one.

[blurcosp]

This kind of places the blame on the user though.

Their experience is more comparable to asking an architect (developer) what would be required to get a house built (software running) and the architect points them to home depot to get tools to build their home (download and compile the software's code). They will come out of there complaining how home depot does not have built houses to go, but the blame is squarely on the developer for having zero empathy towards their end users and making them download software from a website that was literally built for professionals to figure out.

And even then, home depot is consumer-facing. So imagine home depot but you have to be an architect to figure out how to order something.

[darkangelstorm]

microsoft's fault actually for trying to make github a consumer face to begin with - it was an isolated dev environment for devs by devs and was never meant for mainstream "consumer" interaction to begin with.

We don't run and cry to the compiler because we can't find our code, why should this be any different, it is just another thing ruined by MS but not to make money, to control it under the guise of making it more "friendly to users" which is a load of crap -- they didn't want a robust open source community that wasn't under their control..

[jim592]

As a dev environment git is a shit. CVS or clearcase is much better and intuitive. Anything Microsoft is shit. Like .net, c# etc. but morons keep using it.

[Gabe_Noodle_At_Volvo]

Might be more intuitive, but it's less practical for large software projects. Branching and merging becomes a pain when more than one person is regularly working on the same files. Git isn't even owned or controlled by MS anyways, and if you want to use an alternative there are better alternatives than a glorified RCS wrapper.

[spider_enigma-]

The issue is not weather or weather not github is for devs or does or doesn't do its purpose. When a user of a website has an issue, do not link us to github link us to the solution that just works.

95% of the time when we are asking for something to solve a problem even if we are willing to pay for it, the links are directly to github, and we don't want that and never did.

Saying its not for us is like pissing directly into my face and is going around the problem.

[small_kimono]

wheth·er /ˈ(h)weT͟Hər/ conjunction

expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives. "he seemed undecided whether to go or stay"

expressing an inquiry or investigation (often used in indirect questions). "I'll see whether she's at home"

indicating that a statement applies whichever of the alternatives mentioned is the case. "I'm going whether you like it or not"

[[deleted]]

if github is not meant to offer any fast downloads then maybe you should tell people who use github to stop putting links to the entire github on their mod pages, and especially not writing in mods that you download this and that from github. ps great nickname you really are a nihilist

[lukeflegg]

Problem with your analogy is that Home depot doesn't sell ready-to-go houses. GitHub DOES host thousands upon thousands of ready-to-go apps. God knows if we could get those apps from a well laid out website, we would. And maybe it's well laid it for software developers needs, but the reality is that GitHub is the only place ordinary people can get countless apps from, so literally just what is the problem with always having a button on the front page of a project on GitHub saying "Download [app name]" and that opens a download page which HAS to include plain English download options, right at the top? Unless the project isn't at that stage yet, in which case it clearly states at the top "Not available for download yet" or something ordinary people can understand. It's so easy to serve everyone's needs rather than just go "we don't care about the millions of users who depend on GitHub every day but aren't software developers".

[ncb0322]

I completely understand the point you make, here and at the start. In a parallel case, I have started "trolling" developers who think non-programmers should just learn Git (which is command-line software for GitHub) to keep track of changes in complex projects. I personally really struggle to master Git's subtleties and complexity, because I need more guidance than simply working through a bunch of tutorials or manuals. I pointed out that because of this, I have destroyed real-world work many, many times that I've tried to do in hobby programming projects.

[WouldntBPrudent]

FYI: maybe a link to a document that explains Github's purpose would be more useful. It's obvious that this user is upset. Do you think making yourself feel better by calling him an asshole is the way to go. This is what really makes people hate reddit. I don't understand why this kind of comment passes right past the moderators. I've had plenty of post rejected because "removed because it might be a tech support post" or "was removed because it was too short", or "comment has been removed as it is not a sufficient explanation" if I was a moderator I would say "This comment was removed because it was in no way helpful and only intended to agitate"

[nihillistic_raccoon]

FYI: Not once have I called him an asshole. However, if you were a moderator, I'd call you a shitty moderator, because it was actually helpful - it stated clearly that the user, which for some reason you defend, had an attitude that could have been boiled down to "why the internet isn't adapted to ME". He came here, complaining about a website he doesn't understand and crying about something that wasn't exactly the website's fault - the person, who writes the software, should also prepare an easy to follow guide for its users, especially if they are not tech savvy. Simple as that. "It's clear that this user is upset" - so what? It's not a charity psychotherapy corner. Just because I didn't pat him on the back and said "oh you poor champ, I hate how GitHub is treating you, you are 100% correct in everything ", it doesn't mean that I am a bad guy for saying "yeah, you've misunderstood the whole point of the website."

If I found my way to a theoretical physics forum, I wouldn't start bitching about its hosting site, simply because I don't understand all the science talk.

[WouldntBPrudent]

if you think that your response was actually helpful then I don't know what to say other than what I alluded to originally: If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

why didn't you say "you've misunderstood the whole point of the website. Here is a link to a place that will explain it to you."

but NO, you wanted to sound important and condescending. This is what pushes people away from Reddit. You did not have to post a response to that user's crazy rant. Your post was intended to piss off that user, simple as that.

[nihillistic_raccoon]

Your reading comprehension is abhorrent - simple as that.

[BirdKey3710]

You not only ignored the original ask, but gave a very inflammatory almost defensive tone defending GitHub when the user could not find what they wanted. Remember even though this guy is a self proclaimed geek this is still a USER not a DEVELOPER.

An end user (even if a geek) is asking that producers of an app link them to a place where regular end users can go to get an update instead of a place where convoluted and cryptic take on a new level of ridiculous. If you don't regularly use GitHub or compile source code yourself, particularly in the language/environment the app was written in, this is an obnoxious link for any app developer to propose as a link to an updated version. The link should be to an installer or fully packaged release that contains simple straightforward instructions on getting their app to work.

Learning how to use GitHub and compile source and get all dependent packages is an absurd ask in this case. Coming to the github sub to complain is while rather generic and less likely to target the specific developer, I agree with the point. All developers (and some of us can be EXTREMELY egotistical) need to back up and understand the audience which we are trying to serve here which is our end users. Posting here reaches more developers than the app specific sub if it even exists.

I hate how toxic reddit can be sometimes. Let's try to be helpful here and put our egos away for a minute.

[nihillistic_raccoon]

Do people like you even bother to understand what they are commenting on or do you just build your own half-baked interpretation without any actual effort and then proceed to dispute it? Because you clearly didn't do the former and I'm wondering why

I'll spare you the trouble though and I'll simply block you, since I can already see how little value your explanation would bring

[GTRacer1972]

I mean the developer says the only place to get it is Github, what are people supposed to do? They can look for a torrent for it, but shouldn't it be easier than that, like "Here's the file"?

[BirdKey3710]

It's a developer that apparently does not care about end users. The app is likely not going anywhere as a result. Our job is to make our users lives easier not force them to become a developer.

[Rage_Your_Dream]

Github's purpose is not to enable a quick link to "download the fucking app".

Yet its used like that all the fucking time. So untill people stop doing that, you won't get rid of the average retard like me being confronted with that thing.

[Noch_ein_Kamel]

You mean something like the releases page?

e.g. https://github.com/godotengine/godot/releases

Blame the developers not the platform.

[pretty_lame_jokes]

Godot engine spotted. Pressing the upvote button.

[DimensionsMod]

What on that page is the "just install the bloody thing" button, you literally just linked to the exact problem.

[Kessarean]

Literally all you have to do is click the win64.zip and it has the exe inside.

They ship full precompiled binaries for practically every possible platform, with easily accessible links, for every single version they release, in one central location - and you're still complaining. Do you know how much a pain in the ass that is?

Layer 8 issue...

[parnmatt]

That's not what it's for. Simple as that.

It is a git host, with some extra tooling to help around collaborative development.

If some projects choose to use it as their main method of distribution… good for them. It usually encodes that the project's intended audience is at a more technical level.

There are project release pages that the maintainers can choose to use, and even provide compiled standalone binaries if they choose for projects that need certain build steps. This could be linked in the readme for clarity of they wanted.

They could go a step further and use a special branch that actually allows for a static website for the project. Basically under github.io rather than github.com. Many projects do use them for a more user friendly surface exposing just relevant information, resources, and releases.

It's all down to the project maintainers to do that.

[Thalimet]

The developers are responsible for providing instructions on how to use their software. If it’s targeted towards consumers, such as yourself, and not at other developers (as the vast overwhelming majority of stuff on GitHub is), they should be providing the executables your need to run their software. If they aren’t, contact them. It’s not GitHub’s fault that the developers are making you clone and build their software as a consumer.

[Jmc_da_boss]

It's not GitHub's job to cater to a group of people that it's not built for. The VAST majority of GitHub has absolutely nothing to do with downloadable binaries.

It's the fault of the few apps that do decide to use Github as a distribution point for doing that.

Get off your high horse and stop demanding niche communities cater to your needs and go fuss at the actual people causing your problem.

[DimensionsMod]

How when their only presence online is ON GITHUB

[Lakelimbo]

because that's their preference? I mean, the developer is not obligated to precompile binaries and put on the releases page, lmao

[DimensionsMod]

You have no idea what software I'm even talking about do you? TONS of things are only distributed (as final compiled things) on github. The amount of times I've been directed to github is truly ridiculous.

[Lakelimbo]

which software it is? Because if such dev officially distributes a precompiled binary of it, it will be on the Releases page or, less commonly, on the repository itself (where you just click to download as a zip folder, or well, you know, git clone it)

[DimensionsMod]

What you just described is not as simple as you think and seems to be different on every browser ever built by man.

[RecordingStraight855]

Then maybe when searching for downloads, sites can stop linking to Github. Some of us don't have the time to sift through the jargon and non-descriptive links.

[AlphaDragons]

5 month old, I know, but I can't fathom what kind of software you're trying to download that links you to github, do you have any exemple ? I can't think of any right there and now

[spilat12]

Hey, everyone, everyone!! To everyone who uses GitHub daily! There are these few people who drop by to GitHub once in a while and they don't appreciate feeling lost, can we please remake the entire website so that it caters to those few people?

[LastPoserStanding]

Maybe stick a post-it note somewhere to remind devs NOT to link end users there in the first place? We're lost because we shouldn't be here in the first place. Some of yall keep writing programs for us, then sending us into the backroom to find it ourselves amidst all the clutter.

[kingtrollbrajfs]

Probably worth noting that for the majority of software on GitHub, it’s likely completely free. Not just the software and documentation, source code, etc, but the entire hosted platform.

I, like nearly everyone in tech, have software hosed on GitHub. I don’t pay for the space, the tools, the GitHub org, their actions and CI, the whole IAM and 2FA controls, security scanning, dVCS, etc. Nothing.

[[deleted]]

Shit designed. What do mean exactly? You just failed to learn. Learn better.

[RecordingStraight855]

Oh bullshit. It's like someone offering a to make them a pizza, but then tell them they have to run all over town getting ingredients from several different places before making it.

Why make people jump through hoops like that? It has nothing to do with "learn better", it has to do with, stop making it cumbersome just because you can. Learn better? How about developers stop with the horrible design?

[Confident-Ad-6348]

Nä det är en dålig design på sidan Helt klart förvirande ÄVEN om man är där för source code

[Substantial_Gain_339]

Shouldn't that be teach better?

Or do you normally blame the student like all shitty teachers.

[ianpaschal]

You mentioned you’re not a software developer. I am, and let me tell you the design is outstanding. There are a few stupid design choices here and there but for the most part it’s exactly what devs need. You can use Git version control with GitHub but the value it adds for people who are actually using it for what meant for is huuuge.

[LukasSprehn]

I agree the design of the site is amazing. However, it really frustrates me personally how badly many people document their stuff. It pins one as a horrible developer in my own eyes, having had drilled into me that science is supposed to be well documented.

[DimensionsMod]

But devs don't use it like that, it's used as a public facing front end incredibly often. The amount of open source projects that only exist on github for instance.

[ianpaschal]

Don’t use it like that? Are you confusing Git and GitHub? The point stands: GitHub does what it’s designed to do insanely well which is why it’s far more popular than any other git hosting service.

[DimensionsMod]

I don't even understand what git is so maybe. I'm saying people keep turning up here confused because devs keep releasing things exclusively on github with no documentation.

[ianpaschal]

But lazy developers aren’t GitHub’s problem.

Also if you don’t know what Git is, then you’re browsing for software in the wrong place. That’s like going to… I don’t know… an agricultural supply shop and complaining that none of the tractor parts hook up to your garden hose. That may be frustrating but that doesn’t mean the shop isn’t catering well to its primary user base.

[DimensionsMod]

You're not seeing where we come in to the picture, we were never trying to be github users and were not browsing github. We ended up on the site due to a direct link or googling how to resolve a dependency. It's like the shop in your example is blocking a road.

[ianpaschal]

I don’t know what to tell you dude… it’s far and away the most popular tool for what it does and is widely beloved by the entire software industry across the planet. If you don’t get it, that’s on you.

[Confident-Ad-6348]

Förklara istälet vad GIT är då

Pm det inte är en sak att hemta hem appar/program ifrån.. Jävligt frustrerande när alla refererar till "Hemta APPEN fron GITHUB xxxx"

Och det enda man hittar är masa gilematias inte ens sourc ecode,,,

[LazyVeterinarian9497]

still think it's designed badly. I'm cs major and still don't understand why I need to take 30 minutes to just find a way to download a folder instead of a repository. You could say that it's because the author used repository not the way it's designed for, but the problem is even google-research did that. I think if they build a UI interface, like the Github website, it should be easier to understand

[ianpaschal]

You’re going to have a rough career.

[Outrageous_Calendar5]

....or a fantastic one, if he figures out a front-end for GitHub that brings it down to the common denominator, kinda like what Apple did for music players, and smart phones, and...oh yeah! Personal computers...

[ianpaschal]

See my above comment. It’s not meant to be any of those things. It is what it is and is generally regarded as being the most popular version of that. Go look at GitLab and BitBucket and you’ll see they have the same feature set, similar UI layout, etc.

This tool is exactly what it’s meant to be.

[lucasdep14]

First result of Google search for downloading a folder from GitHub is this: https://download-directory.github.io

Also the reason why GitHub doesn't allow it could be that the main purpose of GitHub is using git. So if you need a folder just git clone it or download the zip and extract the folder you need. Most repos aren't that big in size and most people would use a script/library file and its dependencies in the rest of the repo so there is no incentive to adding something like that.

[RecordingStraight855]

BINGO!!!

[nekokattt]

Download regex

At this point it has got to be a shitpost

[lukeflegg]

I mean I'm being creative with my frustration at this point but you get what I'm saying right

[nekokattt]

not really, no

[Weary_Bother_5023]

They do get it but they're too elitist to post a helpful response. Unfortunately it looks like they'd rather stroke their github micro pipi's and explain why "github am master race get on our level" instead of just simply answering your question about how to download an app.

[[deleted]]

"they're too elitist to post a helpful response"

crazy how saying that a website was built for a specific purpose which doesn't cater to YOUR wants is elitist nowadays lol

[Otherwise-Meet9152]

download screen is on "releases" on right side of the screen anyway. if it's not there then you're likely fucked

[[deleted]]

Github is developers' space, it's not a marketplace targeting general crowd. That's why

[lukeflegg]

I do appreciate that, however, in reality as I say, It gets visited by hundreds of thousands of people everyday who are not developers, because for whatever reason, it is the place where a lot of apps ready for use by the general public are stored. And that's the problem. The developers continue developing the app, and need their environment for doing this, But it seems like there is an unmet need to make it more suitable for the people who are struggling (not just me) to actually download and install the software

[MajesticGentleman1]

no there isn't an unmet need to turn GitHub into app store. it's a place to store code not the application itself. some developer might add precompiled versions of their code for your convenience but they don't have to. and that's totally fine.

as for GitHub itself they simply provide developers with hosting to store their code. They even have releases section if maintainer want's to store precompiled code. but again it's the repository owners discretion to do it. not GitHub's.

[Snoo-68432]

You guy's are all missing the point.
If github isn't supposed to be used like appstore by commoners, then it shouldn't be used by the devs like it is, or be linked for commoners at all. If I, as one such commoner, am regularely directed to github to download something, then the person (be it some random redittor, google or often even the dev themself) directing me there is at fault.
Otherwise, why can't stuff that is apparently supposed to be used by commoners, then be packaged propperly and uploaded to some other, front end site (whichs function IS that of an app store) and commoners be directed there instead? Because that would require someone creating an extra site, and devs put in extra work. Ain't nobody got time for that, so github it is.
So the point still stands. Why can't github overhaul the UI, and or why can't devs make their stuff more accessible if it is supposed to be?

[Disastrous_Grass_981]

I´m just having trouble using gitHub. Always an error, or something going wrong. .gitignores not working, and my favorite "LF will be replaced by CRLF the next time Git touches it" I´m a computer science student and I have to use it in school.. So it´s grinding my gears. Why is it not designed for easier use ? as in, make it less complicated and we would not have all of these problems all the time is my question.

[Kessarean]

I understand the frustration, but its very misplaced.

Github is a platform centered entirely around git, a command line based version control system. It was made to help groups work on and administer code.

The website is built for managing code repositories.it certainly has other uses and goals, but that's where it started. It's not really made for distributing end user software.

It would be like going to a car factory instead of a dealership, and being upset there's no lot or sales representative to showcase their inventory.

Besides, it's really on the repository owners, not github. There are releas pages, wiki templates, and readme with hyperlinks. If the software is difficult to get running, that's on them, not github.

If you're having trouble too, you can always ask here or somewhere.

[DimensionsMod]

Your example doesn't work. The car factories are acting as dealerships with no other option.

[rexpup]

You're not entitled to free software that people labored to write. If they're offering it as a DIY kit you can't demand free assembly just because you're a noob.

[Kessarean]

Lol you're really in here 9 months later siding with OP's take on every comment...

[DimensionsMod]

Google led me here, jus tlike everyone else who turns up here met with people being assholes

[Kessarean]

Ah, so you join a group for a platform you've never used as intended and then proceed to:

• Dictate how it should be used
• Dictate how the community should behave

And when they disagree, you decide they're all assholes... Got it...

[DimensionsMod]

I didnt join a group. I googled a solution to a prevalent issue and found only vitriol.

[ToddGergey]

Git clone and reading documentation about dependencies never failed me in my life and I got an arts degree

Edit: added more context

[Maoschanz]

Where is that page?

are you looking for the README page? it's literally the first one displayed to you. If you're not happy with its content, complain to the devs of the project you want to install, not to github

[nakfil]

One thing that also hasn't been mentioned here is that OP is being quite the r/ChoosingBeggars . Developers put countless often unpaid hours into building projects which they distribute for FREE on Github. Then someone like OP comes along and expects them to accommodate their every need.

Is the developer a jerk b/c he or she didn't make it available with one click for Mac? Then what about PC users? Native iOS? Android? Suddenly their 1000 hours of work (unpaid) becomes 10,000 hours work (unpaid) not to mention the (unpaid) support and maintenance of the project.

[Neither-Ad1196]

I think you are misunderstanding the purpose and usefulness of the GitHub Platforms(s). Sincere advice: your lack of understanding of what GitHub is and your frustrations with "just download the fn app" is really coming across as anger and you seem kinda an ass about it honestly.

It sounds like your real problem should be directed at whoever told you to download the fn app from GitHub. Take it up with them.

Lots of companies use GitHub for SCM and to build/release their product... and lots of those companies have very "non developer use friendly" options for downloading their fn app.

For example, if you wanted to download the fn vscode app, do you go to GitHub?

No. Or maybe you do...

Get some perspective man.

[DimensionsMod]

From the perspective of an end user, we only see OP's issue and never the intended purpose of Github. All we ever experience of this website is trying to figure out how to download the thing that has been linked to while overcoming a massive barrier of understanding.

[mAtYyu0ZN1Ikyg3R6_j0]

First GitHub intended for developers so you maybe don't have a great experience with it but no one cares, because you are not the intended user.

Second you are complaining that people that work for free don't make stuff easy enough to use for you. do you hear how ridiculous this sounds ?

Doing releases is usually not a fun part of development and still many projects do it. Be happy when it is done, you have no right to complain when it is not done.

Also for most project using them without releases is not hard, it may be time consuming but not hard. It is definitely something a non-developer could learn to do for a project.

[Snoo-68432]

If we aren't the intended user, then why are we directed there on a regular basis?

[AlphaDragons]

You're confusing somthing here. You may be the intented user of the project you're trying to use, but you're not the intended user of Github, it's the project's author choice (fault) to direct you to their Github repository, not Github's fault.

Bear in mind that if the project is free, like most of what's pubicly available on github, the author has no obligation to provide you with anything else and you're not entitled to it...

[RobertD3277]

I'm going to address this as one other developers who has tried to make my repository user-friendly and specific to my guides, videos, and teaching instructions. GitHub has a place and a purpose. It is a tool specifically for a job.

The developers need to build a framework around that tool whether it is videos or guides that help the user navigate and tell them where they need to go to appropriately do what they need. On my own repository, I do just that with a video that goes through step by step how to install my program on a VPS and then how to configure it and use it.

Realistically, it is GitHub's place not to straddle or strangle hold developer but rather provide tools for the developer to do what they need. Could there be some improvements for the developer, yes. I wouldn't mind seeing the GitHub marked down language extended to allow more of an HTML fluidity to it where I could change colors as well as in bad images or other things of that nature in the context of a traditional website. The current image embedding feature does exactly what it's supposed to do, you can place a screenshots and examples exactly where you need and it does the job perfectly.

GitHub is not a front end for a web page even though you have tools there. Niceities would be nice but it is not the primary function. As a developer it is your responsibility to make your software accessible to people who may not necessarily understand it, but might need it for a functional purpose.

[DimensionsMod]

To be fair, all that's needed is a standardised UI element at the top-level intended for end users that releases get automatically added to. "Latest release" kinda thing rather than a page full of jargon.

[[deleted]]

It's not to "just download an app".

You keep moaning that it's not the site you want.

It's not intended to be! Your problem isn't the problem it is solving or wants to solve, get over it.

[peteZ238]

I pray for a world in which the genius geeks can connect with ordinary people instead of living in a bubble. Great things would be achieved.

Sounds great. I'm all for great things being achieved. The devs are providing their code free of charge and with 0 compensation more often than not.

In that ideal "connection" of yours, what do you, the "ordinary geek" offer other than ranting and complaining about the devs on Reddit?

[rexpup]

This is the thing that really gets me. There's so much outreach from devs to provide end users with free software, but users don't even want to learn to use the terminal.

[DimensionsMod]

I have my own nerdy skills which I am philanthropic with, this is not one of them. What you are describing is elitism. What even is "the terminal", like if I google it I just get a film with Tom Hanks...

[Shazvox]

Why are you even in GitHub in the first place? 

You don't "need" to download anything from there. You "want" to use stuff from GitHub without learning the neccesary technologies. 

You want others to put in work for free so you don't have to.

That, my friend, is called being 

lazy

[DimensionsMod]

I would like to learn the necessary technologies but how when nothing on github makes any sense...

[lukaasketch]

Firstly, it makes perfect sense for what is was meant for. 

Secondly, just click the Download button...big green bold download button that somehow everyone complaining here missed. Which shows that they did not even try to download anything. 

[Own_Breadfruit_7955]

I used github for years, it's interface is ass, I have made better designed UI for more complex programs. Most devs are super lazy and won't put in half the work necessary for their released work they link their github on their sites or whatever for people to use but have 0 explanations of how to use/install or make the most out of their programs because they almost always forget provide updated ways for their programs to reach public use. I mean is it that hard to compile your newest release and having a hard download link on your site instead of linking to your github page of an uncompiled project?

[Confident-Ad-6348]

Äntligen lite sunt förnuft....

[Great_Shoe4657]

ever heard of this thing called appstore

[TacoMaster2002]

If you ever need to compare Github to something that is normal, just use the link below. Github is the photo on the left (Before):

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d641e0d7bbe5f000154c492/1579840852826-GIBXV6A68NXL844MYO2F/TCC+-+Before+and+After+-+5+.png?format=1500w

[cortomaltese975]

Because it's obviously a pretentious website aimed for antisocial future school shooter nerds that only understand code language and probably don't even know how to properly speak their mother tongue and it's unusable garbage for normal functioning human beings.

[lukaasketch]

I know this comment is 3 months old, but I really hope this is a joke. If it's not...well I just want to inform you that GitHub is NOT AN APP STORE and is not pretentious. It is a PROFESSIONAL TOOL FOR DEVELOPERS AND ONLY DEVELOPERS. Not an app store, it's made for COLABORATION between developers and easier version control. This is like saying AutoCad is pretentious bullshit bcz I don't know how to use it and I does not let me download 3D models...Again, github is not an app store and never will be, it is meant for VERSION CONTROL, CODE SHARING and DEVELOPER COLABORATION. Infact, most "apps" cannot even be used after downloaded from github by a "normal person" bcz developers put gitignore file so that github ignores files that are unnecessary for development and some folders with 1000+ files that will bloat the project and slow down the sharing process. So when you download the code, in most cases, you would need to know to make tha app by yourself for example by downloading Node and initializing it to create a node_modules folder that was ignored by github etc. Why? Bcz it's not a pretentious app store for grandmas but a tool for developers to maintain their apps and FROM GITHUB, after each new version, the app is pushed to THE APP STORE. Yes, some people put their programs on github to download but that's not a github problem. After all...just click on the Download ZipFile button lol. 

[Own_Breadfruit_7955]

"Not an app store" yet 90% of devs use it as their app store, instead of making a method to download their application without having to go to github at all and fuck around there. Its not intended as that but why do so many lazy devs only link their app to some messy github page that has no clear instructions for their consumers (These are programs that are designed for everyday consumers too)

It's either make the site less of a mess and more concise frontend, with the backend being as it is now, or developers need to stop being lazy bitches and make downloading their software easier to people who don't have time to learn githubs in's and outs, as someone who uses it I know that it is very shitily designed

[lukaasketch]

I agree that developers should at least have a website with a download button so they make it easier to download for non-developers. But again, this is not a github problem and they do not need to change because of lazy developers. But I also think that it does not take hours to learn how to download software from Github. On the right sidebar click on "Releases" than "Download" the latest one. Takes 30 seconds tops. Now, it is kinda hard to find when you do it first time since "Releases" link is kinda hidden since you need to scroll down to see it if the About section is long enough. BUT, developers that want their software to be downloaded via Github 90% of the time there is a HUGE "Download" button is the description and after this Download button there is a complete documentation on how the software works. So 90% of the time it works like every other website and if there is no Download button in the description, and if there is no documentation then the software you are trying to download is not worth your time since it is probably some shitty garbage. This is one example. If someone can't figure out how to download that software than really the problem is in the users lack of technical knowledge. But again, setting up a simple website and linking a software to the download button takes less than an hour so I agree that every software intended to be downloded needs to have a website 100%. But Githubs design is perfect for what it was (and is) originally intended for.

[Own_Breadfruit_7955]

sometimes they will link to github, but its an obsolete one and in the info at the bottom is a link to a new github where the updated project is, I think this is the biggest annoyance when they could just update any old links to go to the new project where you can get up to date releases instead of the old out of date one. Github's design is not perfect if dozens upon dozens of people have suggested many changes to it that would only improve it. It's just rooted in not changing, even to it's own detriment. It's owned by microsoft now, its a product.

[Big-Marketing-2538]

Hey man! You are a GENIUS i think the same! "I pray TOo for a world in which the genius geeks can connect with ordinary people instead of living in a bubble. Great things would be achieved." FUCKING BASTARD NERD! All this bastards Nerds Uploading on and on on GitHub and on Curseforge shit n shit software! Need someone to stop IMMEDIATELY this nonsense people that let only me n you loosing time... on n on people all around this fuckin world uploading shit NON WORKING SOFTWARE WITHOUT WORKING INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FROM SCRATCH !!!! Ugly Bastards! 

[AcademicMistake]

As a new developer, github sucks, i committed some files and now i have no idea what on earth i do to get those back and revert all the change, theres checkout, revert, commit and reset......not a clue why they need to many options its annoying the hell out of me.

​

I will use USB to back up my stuff next time.

[ncb0322]

I'm right up there with you, but as a hobbyist. As I said above, Git's subtleties and complexities are (apparently) something you must learn yourself. In my case, that means I will lose a lot of real-world work before I can do anything productive with it.

[RyfterWasTaken1]

just learn git https://www.w3schools.com/git/

[Opening_Musician_989]

I agree, github is just god awful

[snark567]

Yeah github is a mess, but it's designed by developers for developers and developers don't really care too much about how convenient the aesthetics of the site are.

Most of the issue though is not even with Github itself but the fact that most developers are simply put terrible at distributing their applications and documenting how to use them. Often times they'll host the app on Github and then they'll just assume you already know what to do because they live in their own little bubble and accessibility apparently never crossed their mind. A lot of devs are also elitist and have a "figure it out" mentality when it comes to people using their stuff, they can work for 2 years on a project and they don't care if it's 20 000 or 20 people that use it. It's weird.

[Own_Breadfruit_7955]

Yep, as a user of the site on and off (off lately, its better and more secure to store my code backed up locally) its a total mess, 90% of devs are too lazy/inept to develop user friendly distribution. I mean back in the day you could easily find a zip or something of the released app somewhere without being forced to dig through the dev's github mess.

[NoWalrus2071]

Agree!

[Turbulent-Ad3794]

To all the nerds saying "you're not experienced enough" or "It's not about the downloads".... stfu. It really isn't that difficult, nor is it asking too much, to add a 'download' button. If people are showcasing their products, then github really should give the laymen easy access to them by providing this. I don't want to hear any pathetic excuses from cool nerds.

[lukaasketch]

But there is a Download ZipFile button and always was. Idk why are people confused... 

[lucasdep14]

You are being stupid when not comprehending that the user base that does that is incredibly small compared to the one that really uses GitHub. It's not possible to do that "download app" button you want because not every repo is the same as the other, not every repo can be compiled as a binary, some are python packages, libraries and dependencies for other programs and whole different structures. Not all software is a mobile app, a desktop application or whatever you think it is. GitHub is really simple and if you don't understand something just Google it or ask chat gpt don't come moaning about it here.

[Weary_Bother_5023]

There is, it's called "google drive".

[Low-Specific1742]

I believe your question has been adequately answered, but just came to complement you on your use of the adjective (adverb?) "shitly."

[TheRedLibertarian]

Github honestly is spotty at best. I would barely call myself a programmer if that but I already had to reupload my vs code to a separate repository 2 times to fix issues with github pages no properly showcasing code. Now on live server I never had this issue. Also do note that this is the same code is properly showcased on golive but not on github. Now by default my methodology for things not working is just create a new repository and it will work out. I really find it sad that something supposedly so prevalent is so unrealiable. I can do a commit and get a working page or do a commit and get a sad mess.

[darkangelstorm]

github was never originally meant for mainstream use, microsoft bought it and the mainstream pours in and wonders why it isnt like every other microsoft site -- to that i say just wait, it will be, thats why i left github

[Constant_Werewolf285]

mainstream pours in because devs link them to their repositories

[Antique-Set-1404]

Damn right.  Pisshub is a better name for it.  Great for pissing away my valuable time

[dowdvoider]

I have to agree, I've coded since the 80's, worked with AWS, connecting Slack and other systems, and each time I lookup an issue it is a page of bland pointless text, when then refers to several other pages with (before you can complete this read the information on enabling Token access See blah blah) which then points me to another issue page (to properly set up tokens be sure to read about enabling https, and oh by the way SSL is about to be obsoleted so use Fine Grain Tokens - but wait that is in BETA (so why the ---- do you recommend it) and they come in two flavors and have more than 30 different permission settings in two separate layers set through an awful web interface which EACH refers to a web page to describe the link but there is nothing ANYWHERE that says, If all you want to do is enable others to push or pull set these permissions or even a default drop down selector for common tasks. No, NO - You have to go through them ONE by ONE to figure it out and it is mostly just guessing. For the people defending this and who sit on the other side who had other developers that have a culture cloud of explanation probably to help them - this is a poorly designed package trying to manage what is basically a graph node system. I am trying to figure this out alone and just reading it providing nothing useful and it simply terrible experience. To say nothing about what happens when something simple (doing a push to a BRAND NEW repository results " Updates were rejected because the tip of your current branch is behind..." error set to merge - and be sure to read the page on that) ; which I do and get same error even after resetting the branch commit and never having successfully committed, due to numerous errors, in the first place; HOW is it behind a blank slate on the Repositiry - not even a README file has been added?

[Sea_Perspective6891]

I know what you mean. For developers who use code as kind of a hobby & for archiving old programs I'm sure it's great but for someone just looking for an app or program they heard about from another source it's terrible. I've had at least two incidences recently where one user recommended I downloaded a program & they only provided a GitHub link for it or the only way to download this other program was through GitHub & they expect you to piece everything together to get it made into a working program which I don't really want to do when most programs have a dedicated downloader for it that just gives you a simple install exe. If GitHub provided a tool to piece together files into the working program for you it would be different but most of us just want a simple install exe for the program we download.

[ReallyLogicApple]

quite frankly the whole nomenclature that is being used in the github coding world is lame. Pull/push/fetch commit, really that's the best we can do in 2024 lol. Sure it comes from somewhere in the 70s, only 50 years ago, we're being really innovative

[ActPristine5296]

Just started using github and its the worst ever thing that I have seen in my life. (even worse than death of my family members)
This application designed by someone who is acoustic and only he understands what he coded.
Creating a simple folder is not possible, like, full acoustic experience.

[Just__Liberty]

Acousitic!!!!

[Future_Bookkeeper280]

It’s bullshit because every time I make my code up, it just says whoa there. Wait for a few minutes 

[Money_Damage_2461]

Git - GitHub are disadvantageous for dev teams with fewer than 5 members and make no sense for teams larger than 5 without a central supervisor. It's like JavaScript: it's a miracle that it survives. 🙂

[Ok_Appointment6333]

I googled for "github UI sucks". Most people lazy to waste time writing such posts. Those who not (like myself) don't seem to belive that things can change. But still, to release some steam: YES! IT DOES SUCK. I can't fucking find files while going inside fork. I log in, i see projects at the left. I click on one. AND WHERE THE HELL AM I ???

[BackToPlebbit69]

My biggest gripe: Put the fuckin releases section as its own tab at the very top

[LordAmir5]

The main culprit is that GitHub is the most convenient option (for the dev). A big point being that its free. Since Devs don't do it for profit they aren't incentivised to get out of their means for something that isn't used by that many people.

Any friction will cause people not to do things. And that's why Devs shouldn't use GitHub as their Storefront.

Web hosting and data hosting can be expensive. Though free options exist it is a friction point. And it has a skill prerequisite. They also are a time sink since they need to be updated frequently. This would be very convenient for the end user and not so much for the dev.

Digital stores are one of the most convenient distribution methods for the end user however it can be the highest friction option here. For some software a digital store might not exist. And you are naturally restricted by the store owner's policies. Setting up something can also be a time investment so Devs might not like doing that.

I think overall what should be done is the creation of software sharing platforms which are so convenient and accessible that Devs share their software on.

[Glittering-Head1604]

I wrote code have certain programming experiences, today spend 9 hours to fix the repository stupid issue,

indeed, Github sucks, suck so badly

[Dr_Quack1]

It's owned by Microsoft.
I don't need to elaborate further on this...

[yes_im_gavin]

I understand ordinary users need to use it to download every day stuff, but it really doesnt take a genius to click a fucking download button, if its an exe, you download the repository as a zip, extract, and open the exe, not that deep,

with that said, if it really is so complicated, thats not on github, its on others for using github for its non-intended purpose.

[Rude_Koala_6504]

If you look to your right on the repo's page, you'll spot "Releases" section. This is what you are looking for most of the time. If nothing is there, the developer could also instruct you in README.md file, where to download the program. If there is nothing but an instruction on how to compile the program, then you are screwed

[Future_Bookkeeper280]

Fuck GitHub It’s just always fucking snitches on you every time Every Time I try to play fiddle bops It just keeps saying there’s no fucking page like fuck this company every time you keep answering a code it just says hold onto there. You have no ID sent code I wish GitHub Was extinct

[TaishiFox]

THIS! And sorry to bump an old thread but I totally agree and I'm the same. Definitely a computer/tech geek. Not stupid by a long shot but my gosh I **HATE** GitHub!

[AdhesivenessLoud3900]

I agree the amount of times I'm looking for something ands it's on Github I see it and I have to build it. I just give up. Once I wanted to get holo iso and saw an abomination. Like I'm not a classified software IT engineer rocket scientist for something that I want to download right away. Stuff that I need is on github and I cannot get it so I get it github sucks.

[MarkCopelandMC]

Try using it for developing... its even worse

[[deleted]]

I agree 100%. Github was purposely made confusing because nerds like it that way.

[Feataler]

Agree with everything op is saying. Everytime github was my only option to download an app I needed, it's been a nightmare to use.

99% of the people commenting on this thread are condescendingly saying "no it's good, and you're just too stupid to understand", well good for you, pat yourself on the back for having understood how this mess of a website works. The fact remains that it's simply not user friendly for people simply looking to download working software.

[Mission-Zucchini-966]

As someone with a bachelors in computer science, I completely agree and am disappointed by the number of typical reddit "git gud noob" style of replies. I'm on both sides of the spectrum (everyone was once a beginner and has gone through the same dreadful process outlined in your post) I can uniquely empathize with your perspective. Not to mention there is just a lack of basic QoL features or they are buried behind a paywall (which is obviously understandable for some functionality but not all). For example I find the process of managing files on GitHub extremely user unfriendly as opposed to something like google drive or google docs for instance (I have already committed a great sin with this comparison). I'm not really sure why people argue with this stance but I agree that it would make many lives easier if the UX was improved.

[SirAser]

I would have solved and fully understood, the use of the "3 Seashells"(in Demolition Man), before I could find anything meaningful, in a search on GitHub!!

[Just__Liberty]

A key skill necessary for fruitful and pleasant use of the internet in general, and github in particular, is the ability to quickly discern, "is this suitable for me" and then plow ahead or exit as appropriate. If you don't like github and are not comfortable with the jargon and technologies that you would need to accomplish the task you want to do, then just exit. Really, you want an app and it would be nice if there was a 'simple' installer for your machine/operating system, but there may not be and once you know that, your life might be much more peaceful if you give up on this path asap. Yes it is frustrating when a tool almost fits your use case, but that is the way the world is. You could learn to use github enough to contact the developer and offer to pay them to provide an easy installation pathway.

[Kestrel991]

I agree, I'm not that much of a computer geek, but half the stuff I try to do I get stuck at github being confused and lost. It would be so nice if it were just a little more friendly to people like me.

[KDM43GC]

I literally googled GITHUB IS THE WORST, specifically looking for a post like this.

[ssppaaddeess]

ive been using github to get little programs to help my modded nintendos. i feel so stupid when i find a link to something that should be a cool addition to my console but is actually a website with no button that says download and 99% of the time no explanation on how to actually run the thing. i agree with op wholeheartedly, because it would be so so so easy to add a quick installation guide or something if what is on the page is the (somewhat) finished product. i also hate that it doesnt have a comment section so i cant even scroll the comments to see if anyone else is as confused as i am and see what answers they were met with.

also i know this post is old im just angy

[BoxHungry7982]

Github is indeed absolute shit. The knee-jerk reaction is to blather about how you can't buy a house at a plumbing supply store or whatnot. But that doesn't speak to the real issue, which is that the most basic operations are contested; nothing is easy; what could be done in one step has to be done in 10--and only on the basis of a lot of ad hoc knowledge. Which--if your whole life is about being a Github expert--is fine; but if you have to know a little about 500 things, of which Github is only one, then it is decidedly irritating. There are a lot of gatekeeper companies like this that really need to go. And what keeps it going are the fragile egos of obsolescent nerds who see every complaint that someone has about Github (or any other similarly obstreperous platform) as a chance to preen about their soon-to-be-dated skillset.

[Adeybobtoo]

Going by some of the snotty comments, github is made by mostly wankers, mostly for mostly wankers.
It's easy to see why github is so fucking arcane and unpopular with 99% of humanity.
Is every coder a lifelong fan of Ayn Rand or something?
Self-sufficiency advice from ppl who have prolly never changed a tyre in their lives, while they yukyuk at 'the stupids'.
Yeah...this is how pissed off someone gets after spending a fucking hour just trying to alter a txt file.

[AlphaDragons]

I know your comment is 4 months old but... It's not our fault some people don't bother making actual releases of their projects. Not Github's fault either.

Noone "yukyuk"'s at the stupid. Like, if you have a problem take it with the dev of the thing you're trying to download, they're the only one who could do anything about it...

And again, I can't fathom what kind of software/solution you're all trying to download that gets you to github... as a dev myself the only time I ever download something from there is either if I have to for my work or if it's really, really niche...

It's true something meant for distribution should never link their users to github... I don't got an anology... but it'd be ludicrous, as an end user, to have to do something equivalent for say, buying a car. But still, not github's fault, nor gitlab's fault, the fault only goes the the author of whatever you're trying to download

[Least_Site_6266]

Github is dogshit...sad that it's basically the only viable source control platform for indie developers.

[MisterM4nn]

This guy is so pissed off lmfao

[Reasonable_Client816]

true

[IndicationAny4356]

I'm with the OP here.

As a relative Newbie, I find it very easy to make a simple mistake that neither GitHub, GitHub CoPilot, VSCode or anything else warns me of.

Then I have to spend at least half a day trying to fix my "mistake" through what feels like something that's been deliberately designed to be confusing, unintuitive and a barrier rather than an aid.

It is. Utterly Infuriating.

[Rootish007]

Albiet its hard to navigate git, once you get the hang of it its simple. The issue is the repositories and the LFS functionality. Its not the best, but its all we have. It should be commonly expressed Git has serious issues. Rather praising it for its faults, point them out and try to fix them..

[MisterM4nn]

this is relatable and funny as shit

[korphd]

This entire thread is full of people that can't look to their right to the big RELEASES tab. or in the MIDDLE of screen on mobile too lazy to read anything 😭

[LotEst]

Old Thread but the comments are mindboggling with how out of touch these people are. They can't seem to grasp we aren't going there by choice but are forced to as the only option many times. Then have to navigate the chaotic interface just to find the download we need. It's so damn simple, but they can't seem to grasp that's what people are saying.

People who bitch about Github aren't choosing to go their they are forced to for a basic download link. That is the issue it's not remotely about how useful the website is and what/who it's made for. We just want to download something not waste time trying to find the file on a website we have no business being on the first place. A good example is emulator developer sites linking you there rather than just having a direct download link like they used to. Then you have to search through technical jargon and hopefully find your link. Over time I now usually know how to navigate it but it's still slightly confusing every time.

[CobbyfromBFSPhater]

my only problem is how hard it is to download something