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Ask Slashdot: What's The Best Place To Suggest New Open Source Software?

Posted by EditorDavid on from the suggestions-from-the-sidelines dept.

dryriver writes: Somebody I know has been searching up and down the internet for an open source software that can apply GPU pixel shaders (HLSL/GLSL/Cg/SweetFX) to a video and save the result out to a video file. He came up with nothing, so I said "Why not petition the open source community to create such a tool?" His reply was "Where exactly does one go to ask for a new open source software?"

So that is my question: Where on the internet can one best go to request that a new open source software tool that does not exist yet be developed? Or do open source tools only come into existence when someone -- a coder -- starts to build a software, opens the source, and invites other coders to join the fray?
This is a good place to discuss the general logistics of new open source projects -- so leave your best answers in the comments. What's the best place to suggest new open source software?

6 of 225 comments (clear)

  1. Build your own software, asshole by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    No, people won't build shit for you. We will certainly assist people as they build, but the open source community doesn't take requests other than bug fixes on their own work.

    Tell your friend to get off his ass and build it himself.

    1. Re:Build your own software, asshole by WarJolt · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Many open source projects are well funded. They are for profit. It is free to use, not free to develop. There's a well defined model for making money on open source.

      The projects that are developed by only hobbiest are the exception, not the rule.

      You can pay someone to develop software for you.

    2. Re:Build your own software, asshole by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      No, people won't build shit for you.

      Tell your friend to get off his ass and build it himself.

      Classic rude answer by a stuck-up asshole.

      Sorry, but asking "Where exactly does one go to ask for a new open source software?" doesn't warrant this kind of "cram-it-up-your-ass" response.

      There are probably a thousand ways to respond but you had to go and pick the worst, most graceless way to do so. Bravo, asshole!

      --
      Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
  2. Two options... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This person has two options:

    1: Program their own and release it as open source software.

    2: Pay someone to make the software and release it as open source software.

  3. Re:Uhh... by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Yeah, basically this. Find the software that's closest to what you want to do and get on their community software and ask if there's already a way to do it. Your idea probably isn't unique, but just in case it is, the community can give feedback as to whether it's a good idea or not, and then if it is good their docs or people in the community will tell you how to put in a feature request. At that point, follow most of the advice others are giving about building or buying.

    --
    My God, it's Full of Source!
    OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
  4. ITS CALLED EFFORT by Joviex · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So since /. has finally become google search for the entitled, lazy futurist, where can I go to get smei-nerd news without "do my homework" bullshit entries?