TBF, they could probably make the “releases” page more prominent rather than having it buried in all the “code” stuff.
GitHub has bad UX for people who just wanna download and use the programs
I’d agree, but the caveat is that github is primarily about an interface for source control and collaboration between developers for projects. The release page is really just an also-ran in terms of importance.
Imo they aren’t even trying, because it’s not that hard to make it better. Doesn’t even have to be a compromise. Most people just need a visible download button for the programs, that’s all.
If that’s a concern for the project maintainers, they should create a homepage for the project with download links.
Or make a shortcut/link in the readme to the newest release of the most popular OS’s.
A decent release page tends to contain all kinds of files for different OS, so ‘regular’ people who just want the .deb or .exe would likely become confused regardless.
Imagine how many download buttons would be if Github had ads.
There is, it’s literally right there on the home page of the project. You can either copy a URL and download it by cloning the git repo, or you can download the whole project as a zip file. Then you just have to compile it!
GitHub is for developers, not end users.
It’s not a compromise to make another download button for the last release as well. No one looses.
That’s not a download button for the program. But there is indeed a link to the release page right on the home page of the project, so you’re still correct.
SourceForge had a better UX for those who just want to download software.
And SF is horrible, so this says a lot.
not only the ux, some devs make it absurdly confusing to find a binary.
I don’t want to throw anyone under the bus, but there’s this one niche app.
their github releases at one point were YEARS out of date, they only linked to the current version in seemingly random issue reports’ comments. And the current versions were some daily build artefacts you could find in a navigation tree many clicks deep in some unrelated website. And you’d better be savvy enough to download a successfully built artefact too. And even then the downloaded .zip contained all kinds of fluff unnescessary for using the app.
The app worked fine, sure, but actually obtaining it was fairly tricky, tbh.
These build artefacts probably weren’t meant for end users, that’s why they contained the “unnecessary fluff”.
absolutely, but they were in general (IIRC) suggesting them for the main downloads, but just not telling anyone outside the comments, which was the weird part
GitHub has bad UX for a lot of things
The Github UX is amazing if you ever had to use gitlab or bitbucket
Comparing bad to bad doesn’t make any of them better lol
I’ve gone nuts trying to download a single file from the git website on my first interactions with it (because somehow adding a download file button when you’re viewing a file on the site is just too much to handle)
It’s not black and white. I actually liked a few things better about bit buckets UI. It’s been too long to remember specifics though I think it was concerning PRs and diffs. I still think GitHubs review UI is too complicated. It took me literally years to fully understand it.
i really enjoy the lack of dark mode and the way it doesn’t work on a tablet
My bad. It indeed is black and white. There can be no redeeming aspect of bitbucket. Fair point
thank you! now was that so hard?
It does actually have a dark mode now! Still not great otherwise.
I’m not so sure. I seem to be able to find my way around a GitLab project in much fewer moves than a GitHub project. But maybe I’m biased because I use it all the time at work. I know they change the sidebar a lot, though.
The worst part about Bitbucket is the horrible, godawful, practically useless search
That’s not really what it’s designed for though
It doesn’t have to be a compromise imo. Most people just need a visible download button on the front pages. Wouldn’t hurt devs at all. I mean, even devs sometimes struggle with this lol.
It doesn’t have to be a compromise
You keep using that word. I don’t think it means what you think it means.
Any change to appease you would be a compromise, you understand this, yes?
I’ve bounced off GitHub more than once trying to figure out how to download the .exe file that I assumed must be somewhere. Honestly I still don’t understand the interface and I’ve submitted bug reports for Jeroba on there. I might have even used GitHub for a project once? Every time I look at it it’s overwhelming and confusing and none of it is self-explanatory. But, that’s fairly true for a lot of stuff in programming.
If there is an exe, it’s under the releases link. On desktop it’s on the right sidebar below “About”. On mobile it’s at the bottom after the readme blurb.
It’s not obvious because the code is the main focus and GitHub would much rather people host their releases somewhere else.
And even if releases are hosted on github, there should ideally be a download links page somewhere that presents the different binaries or installation files in an easier to understand format, especially if the software is designed for non-developers.
That’s where it is? I’ve been sneaking my way in by clicking
tagsand then thereleasestoggle!
I swear they move the link to release page every few months.
They purposely hide it, because they don’t wanna tend to normies
I fixed it for them
What about up by the name of the repo? Your suggestion still looks almost reasonable, I like it!
Yeah actually that could work as well. Would be a really easy greasemonkey script
And then just push it to the main branch of GitHub, I’m sure they’ll accept it ;)
Worst part is that this used to be a separate tab in the repo navigation. I still cannot conceive of a reason why they would move it from there to some random heading in the middle of the screen, except maybe so they can sell more GitHub trainings.
I think you’re on to something haha
I’ve been using github for what, 10 years now? And I had no idea there even was a releases page.
A lot of projects don’t use it or forget to update it for multiple versions so you probably aren’t missing much.
If you use it as a developer you don’t care about the releases page. You want to see the code and for latest version you just need the git tags. But I’ve also used it for stuff I just needed to run on my machine as an end-user. And for those you turn to the Releases page. That’s where pre-built binaries go.
But it also depends on the target audience. Some projects, even if meant more as software to run than code to import, still target mainly developers or tech users in general and will not have more than just instructions on how to build them. Others, say a Minecraft launcher, or some console emulator, will target a wider audience and provide a good Releases page with binaries for multiple platforms.
This is really bad on mobile too. I usually flip to desktop mode to get to releases page quickly.
TRUE. the first time I used GitHub, the releases tab being all the way at the bottom in the mobile view confused me for a good while
I agree. Whenever I link someone I try to make sure to link directly to the release page.
Honestly, releases and the readme could be the first page on their own, you can push the code to another tab as long as the clone button is there. There’s at most a 5% chance I’m just gonna raw dog the code straight from the browser anyways.
After downloading code from GitHub for years I can still take over a minute finding the file I want to download at times. Now that’s not long, but it’s why I’m there 90% of the time.
If there isnt a link in the readme.md I could be lost for days.
On mobile, they hide the code by default. Though the releases are still hidden underneath the readme.
He eventually found the executable by Googling for it online and is now part of a botnet.
Happy ending then I take it
This reads like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycLpMlC3O4o (5 second film)
Skill issue tbh
Sherlock is command line only too…
Follow up post.
“I don’t want to write a fucking essay nerds! Just make a GUI and put it in an .EXE!!!1111111111 spittle sp[pzpzzzzzzzqawjpoidqweiofrjowqefj”
If they pay me more, I’ll make them one in Visual Basic and trace an IP address.
Also, it’s literally a script for stalking people on social media. So it’s pretty clear why they want this script so bad.
Oh absolutely, anyone in a red team position is more than capable of running a few command lines. The guy is without a doubt trying to stalk someone
“why doesn’t this python command line script have an executable ui?”
Why is this executable web UI distributed as a python script?
Why do I have to have python installed in order to use it? Why don’t you bundle all the dependencies with the download?
Closed as resolved
five years later
i found this through google search and it says it’s resolved but there’s no information what the problem was and all of the links don’t work anymore
Locked thread and restricted to contributors
link is actually experts exchange and you have to register just to see the answer
links to 11 year old thread for tangentially related Windows Vista problem, locks current thread
Why don’t you bundle all the dependencies with the download?
This is one reason I like statically compiled apps. You can just give users one executable and it’ll work. This is common with apps written in Go, but it’s doable (with some caveats) in C# now with AoT in .NET 8.
Assuming the user uses the same OS that the developer runs, and that they release a statically compiled app for. In this example, I see the project is python and docker is mentioned in thrbdocs, while not 100% my bet is that the output would still not be the .exe file that thhis entitled asshole is demanding.
We’ve all felt this at least once be honest with yourself.
Yeah I was like yes why isn’t there an obvious download binaries tab easily found (there is sometimes right?)
Gold goes to Qt though, hell to just download and decompress it…
there is, it’s called “releases” and it’s like 2 clicks to download an executable, it’s not a github issue at all, and github isn’t meant to be where you get your executables anyways
I still do sometimes. Wish they release a build so I don’t have to download all the dependencies and learn how to use a new program to build the damn thing
If you’re talking about the repo in the screenshot, it’s a python script, so a binary release is going to be fun.
If you’re talking about GitHub in general, you can download binaries from releases, if they’re provided.
It ain’t called git-hub for nothing. The social network for gits. How else are they supposed to behave?
I’m pretty sure this is aimed at websites that have a “download” or “get x now” link on their website that just takes you to a git hub page with no obvious download section. It isn’t uncommon, and it can be frustrating. At the very least, it’s a bad user experience.
The medium internet user doesn’t even know what git is, so I think it is very likely that a lot of people don’t understand the way github works and are very upset by how “difficult” it can be to get an installer from it.
From someone in computer networking classes: “I don’t use GitHub. This is too complicated” Like bruh. The instructions are right there in the readme.
There’s also the time where we were asked to read temperature from a sensor, and everyone went straight to chatgpt. Meanwhile, first search result, full repo with full noob instructions.
Is chatgpt the default starting point for inexperienced / early career/ students now?
As a CS student, yes absolutely. These people then complain about paper exams and when the code gets complex enough for the AI to make mistakes. I’ve seen a few people drop out in programming 2, and my web 1 class was decimated because we were doing more than leetcode exercises. It’s a real problem that so many people are using it as a crutch.
Why are you surprised?
I’m neither surprised nor unsurprised. I’m middle aged and don’t have much insight into what university students are doing day to day.
Computer networking was the most complicated class I took. How can GitHub be too complicated compared to the class? Or is it a non low level computer networking class?
This is literally the third year of the diploma. This is not even source control. This is literally installing the software provided with the instructions provided
But as I seen both, networking is easier than programming IMO. Networking is mostly knowing a lot of things to be able to reuse that knowledge Programming is actually creating things and solutions to problems, and is more complicated, at least for me. But I still prefer it as I actually feel mentally challenged (pun intended)
The chair OOP posted from
pants aren’t an issue when you’re QUANTUM SHITTING THROUGH THE nTH DIMENSION
HOLD YOUR CHILD CAPTIVE WHILE THEY CRAP THEIR DAKS
WTF is this?! Who uses this stuff? How can you treat children like that?
Look at that grin. Those straps are for YOUR protection
The problem with github isn’t really a problem. It’s just accessible enough to borderline tech people who want a one click solution to a problem. They can find it, but using it requires more skill than they have. It’s a code repository, not an app store. The most useful things I find on github aren’t from some massive app developer, they’re from some guy who happened to have the same problem as me. Rather than screaming at that guy for an executable, level up. Learn something.
I mean I code extensively and it still pisses me off they kind of don’t make the “download zip” more prominent or explain to noobs that this isn’t compiled/ plug n play…nor are most of the apps for Windows users, really.
This isn’t the job of a Git repository nor is it for GitHub, this is an issue for developers which shouldn’t use it as their main download way.
The download zip is not meant for the average person and frankly useless for most projects. I don’t know why you expect a Git repository to explain to you that bare code isn’t compiled or plug and play? How would GitHub know other than you informing them that the app isn’t for Windows?
I don’t think you understand the concept of what Git and GitHub even are and their intentions.
There’s no qualification to be a developer to access github though, I think is what the person you responded to is saying. It’s entirely possible for a user to end up at github without a true understanding of its purpose. Therefore, it would be helpful if it was more clear to the average non-developer user that what they’re looking at is a code repository and is not meant for general consumption.
GitHub adding releases was the real UX mistake.
Anything outside of code repository stuff is outside their lane.
Start a new startup or something to solve that problem. Too late now that it’s under Microsoft.
Gatekeeping OSS is a thing now?
Maybe I’m misunderstanding… but are you saying GitHub, the corporate entity acquired by Microsoft for 7.8 billion dollars 6 years ago, is a champion of the free and open software movement and that needs some rando on the Internet to stand up for it?
People have lived through many cycles of Microsoft doing this shit. They don’t deserve defending.
Maybe I misunderstood your comment. I’m talking from the layman’s perspective looking for a stable build of whatever the software is.
"
Anything outside of code repository stuff is outside their lane
" sounds like you’re talking about non-technical users when that was the context of the original comment. I understand what you mean now though, and I somewhat agree.
The machine spirit requires that you submit the correct incantations
like this?
# Let Git take a rest with some yummy awk chocolate logs with delicious nuts and seeds, and don't be pushy! git reset --hard $(git log --reverse | sed -n 1p | awk -F "[ ]" '{print $2}') && git push -fEDIT: Don’t actually run it.
Can you explain what this does? I’m thinking something along the lines of reverting all commits except the very first one?
You are correct! It sets HEAD to the first commit and then force pushes, deleting everything after HEAD.
Though, it only affects the currently selected branch.
I have to say that I absolutely love the title this man chose to share his anger.
You guys realize this was on a joke community, right? Most of the original comments missed it too…
r/github is a joke community?
At this point r/ itself is a joke community.
The original text was not on github.
Saw it on copypasta yesterday. It’s possible this is an old screenshot and I could’ve seen the repost.
EDIT : seems I’m wrong and this is just an old picture.
Good find. I guess this is an old picture.
The post was made 3 days ago. The picture is of this exact post. It’s not exactly old
I took the screenshot before the post was even locked, you can also find a comment by me on that thread.
Yes, I think that most of us realized from some of the self-aware wording that this is a parody. But like many parodies it’s a real trope taken to a silly extreme, so we’re talking about users who fit that trope (including ourselves, sometimes!).
Of course this guy wants to use sherlock
I hadn’t heard of it, but it looks like it wouldn’t have much use outside of stalking or doxing.
pyinstaller and py2exe would’ve been helpful for this person
Probably Tylenol as well
Ahahahah
It’s more helpful if the developer configures a CI system to produce an executable. Stops people asking about how to do it.
I think the entire point is that this stops people from filing a bunch of stupid tickets saying the .exe didn’t work on their iPhone or some shit.
That guy is not asking, is demanding. I use lots of open source software and am aware that the developer is often stretched thin. If I can’t help with the project (can’t say I have in the past two decades) I want them focused on what is important and what probably keeps them motivated, writing code and adding cool features. If they have time, fix bugs. If there is more bandwidth, write documentation.
Not wasting time making an executable for every OS out there because some ingrateful asshole is too lazy to figure out how to read instructions in plain English.
