The thing is, I really really like the word "shitty" here.
Because, let's face it, most software out there (especially most software built by individual hobbyists) is ... let's say not great.
I realize that this is a cultural thing. In the US for example they tend to favor soft language more. They would call it "beta", "early access" or "personal project".
As an European I tend to see it more as... well, "shitty".
And that is fine. It is in fact refreshing not to have to filter out the marketing buzzwords like "innovative" or "minimalistic". The title immediately put me in a good disposition towards the author. It feels honest.
As a European [1], I have no idea what you refer when you say "especially most software built by individual hobbyists is [...] not great". Have you seen the websites built professionally by consulting agencies? Public administrations? Sure a hobbyist just starting out doesn't write great code, but hobbyists care a lot more about quality and will improve a lot faster than those just slinging sausages or those making the bucks.
When I peek into your average open source project (made, mostly, by hobbyists) I see good to great quality. Whenever any private code gets leaked, or on your average company, or just inspecting websites, you see the horrors. Just my experience here :)
[1] Spaniard, I do believe our websites might be on the bottom of quality of Europe though, so my experience might be different from other "European"s :)
When I said _individual_ I meant "projects developed by one person only".
In general I agree with you, open source tends to have better quality than proprietary software.
I will point out however that Open Source sees a lot of contribution from non-hobbyists too. That's my case, in fact: my salary for the last 10 years came from working on open source projects.
Because, let's face it, most software out there (especially most software built by individual hobbyists) is ... let's say not great.
I realize that this is a cultural thing. In the US for example they tend to favor soft language more. They would call it "beta", "early access" or "personal project".
As an European I tend to see it more as... well, "shitty".
And that is fine. It is in fact refreshing not to have to filter out the marketing buzzwords like "innovative" or "minimalistic". The title immediately put me in a good disposition towards the author. It feels honest.