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I think this problem is not at all exclusive to propietary software. Take blender, for example. I spent quite a bit of time learning all the bits of the interfa

I think this problem is not at all exclusive to propietary software. Take blender, for example. I spent quite a bit of time learning all the bits of the interface 5+ years ago. When I tried to go back, the software UI had changed so much that basically most of my knowledge and muscle memory is now worthless, having to google how to do every tiny operation. And this is not yhe first "huge overhaul" of the UI and keybindings they've made. And it's not like you can easily get an old version of blender and make it work just because it's free software. Leaving aside the fact that I'd be missing out on newer features, system libraries get updated and at some point the old version stops working with a random crash. Then you need to start compiling from source and basically maintaining your own fork. IMO this is what happens with large enough pieces of software where the devs care more about increasing adoption in spite of any happy existing users. Sorry for the blender micro-rant, they are doing a great job. But still I felt it was the perfect example of microsoft-y behaviour in free software land

chrismorgan 6y ago
Meanwhile, I’m a prospective Blender user, and I hear it’s waaaaay better from 2.80, so that for various things where I might have used another program or given up and used nothing I would now be very likely to use Blender. It’s always a balancing act: satisfying existing users, against genuine improvement that will make it better for new users and existing users that put in the effort to learn the new way.
- dpwm 6y ago
  Blender is way better since 2.80 imho. I have been an a blender user since about 2005. I find 2.80 improved the UI considerably. For me it was well worth the little effort I had to put in.
baddox 6y ago
I just don’t think the specific way to do each operation in the UI is an essential part of Blender. Anyone using it professionally or even as a serious hobby will pick up on UI changes quickly. The real work you do on Blender is the actual art, not just manipulating menus and buttons.
- setzer22 6y ago
  No offense intended, but isn't the real work you do in MS Office creating documents? Software is never about manipulating menus and buttons per-se.
cycloptic 6y ago
It seems unrealistic to want new features but also be against any kind of refactoring or efforts to bring in new users. As you have found, it's time-consuming to backport things and the people who actually want that are not usually willing to do it. Probably because it doesn't bring in new users and therefore makes no money. Free software really doesn't change anything abut this, projects that want to become popular still need to prioritize growth.

chrismorgan 6y ago

Meanwhile, I’m a prospective Blender user, and I hear it’s waaaaay better from 2.80, so that for various things where I might have used another program or given up and used nothing I would now be very likely to use Blender. It’s always a balancing act: satisfying existing users, against genuine improvement that will make it better for new users and existing users that put in the effort to learn the new way.

dpwm 6y ago
Blender is way better since 2.80 imho. I have been an a blender user since about 2005. I find 2.80 improved the UI considerably. For me it was well worth the little effort I had to put in.

baddox 6y ago

I just don’t think the specific way to do each operation in the UI is an essential part of Blender. Anyone using it professionally or even as a serious hobby will pick up on UI changes quickly. The real work you do on Blender is the actual art, not just manipulating menus and buttons.

setzer22 6y ago
No offense intended, but isn't the real work you do in MS Office creating documents? Software is never about manipulating menus and buttons per-se.

cycloptic 6y ago

It seems unrealistic to want new features but also be against any kind of refactoring or efforts to bring in new users. As you have found, it's time-consuming to backport things and the people who actually want that are not usually willing to do it. Probably because it doesn't bring in new users and therefore makes no money. Free software really doesn't change anything abut this, projects that want to become popular still need to prioritize growth.