I Skip Open Source Apps When I See This On Their Website
HelpNet Security, Monday, May 5th, 2025
I spend a lot of time looking at open source projects, for work and for fun. One of the things I'll look at first is what kind of support and social links they have. I've learned to quickly tell, just by glancing at those icons, if the project is user-friendly and trustworthy.
A Lone Discord Icon Is a Bad Omen
I won't call any out, but I often come across open source software whose websites and repository read-me files will direct me for support to one horrifying place: Discord.
To be clear, I think Discord is great. I use it every day to keep up with friends, chat about niche interests, and voice chat while gaming. What I don't like using Discord for is solving software problems. I loathe having to join a server and verify myself, then sort through countless channels to find the one where I won't get yelled at with "wrong channel" messages. Then when I find the right channel to ask my question, it often gets ignored or pushed up the chat timeline by other confused people making their own pleas for help.