Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Truthfully, Free Software is a philosophy concerned with software development and the rights of the end user and that's it. It has nothing to do with the economic model that drives its development. So what's the problem?
Read this video as an article: gardinerbryant.com/free-software-has-a-ux-problem
howtogeek.com/please-stop-lowering-your-standards-for-open-source-software
*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
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❯ Dudelings on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
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*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ ✍🏻 My Writings: gardinerbryant.com
❯ 🎙️ My Podcast: podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ ✉️ Email Newsletter: heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ 💬 Revolt: rvlt.gg/gk6w4G3P
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com
*Support the Show*
❯ ✒️ Become a Member: gardinerbryant.com/#/portal
❯ 🕴️My Games: store.steampowered.com/search/?publisher=Heavy%20Element
❯ 🎮 Humble affiliate: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/4GmJdL
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About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
00:00 The inciting incident
01:51 What does UX actually mean?
02:22 Free software has a User Experience problem...
03:36 "Free Software Developers"
05:24 RE: Sydney Butler
08:11 The one example Butler actually gave...
10:22 Redmond Design
11:48 Audacity is one of the true FOSS UX success stories
12:38 Three ways to improve FOSS UX
13:39 #2 Usage Statistics
15:54 #3 Your contributions
18:31 Conclusion
Truthfully, Free Software is a philosophy concerned with software development and the rights of the end user and that's it. It has nothing to do with the economic model that drives its development. So what's the problem?
Read this video as an article: gardinerbryant.com/free-software-has-a-ux-problem
howtogeek.com/please-stop-lowering-your-standards-for-open-source-software
*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
❯ Dudelings on Humble: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/9LWQeW
❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: store.steampowered.com/bundle/41202/Dudelings_Arcade_Sportsball_Deluxe_Edition/?utm_source=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings
*Affiliate links*
Services I Recommend:
❯ RackNerd Affiliate Link: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496
❯ RackNerd Virtual Private Servers: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496&pid=25
❯ RackNerd 200GB Shared Hosting: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496&pid=83
❯ RackNerd Intel Xeon Bare Metal Server: my.racknerd.com/aff.php?aff=15496&pid=12
Private Email & More:
❯ Proton Drive: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=43&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Pass: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=38&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton VPN: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=26&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Mail: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
Best Steam Deck Accessories:
❯ SanDisk 1 TB card: amzn.to/3z8mMfH
❯ Steam Deck Dock: amzn.to/3PDjgkt
❯ Steam Deck accessories: amzn.to/4c2XKkM
❯ DualSense: amzn.to/3WR1u1R
❯ Gulikit KK3 Max controller amzn.to/4dqRaoC
❯ DualSense Edge: amzn.to/4cuzIyd
❯ 8Bitdo Pro 2: amzn.to/46R7hcz
❯ Amazon Suggested Products: amzn.to/4fAha2h
*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ ✍🏻 My Writings: gardinerbryant.com
❯ 🎙️ My Podcast: podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ ✉️ Email Newsletter: heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ 💬 Revolt: rvlt.gg/gk6w4G3P
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com
*Support the Show*
❯ ✒️ Become a Member: gardinerbryant.com/#/portal
❯ 🕴️My Games: store.steampowered.com/search/?publisher=Heavy%20Element
❯ 🎮 Humble affiliate: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/4GmJdL
❯ 🕹️ GOG affiliate: adtr.co/ct8fzu
❯ 🛒 Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/3iYb4gd
❯ ✉️ Proton affiliate: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
❯ 🪙 Bitcoin: bc1qgz3r4yhzvxm7s8srutkvlnm2c70n8gga4j259e
About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
00:00 The inciting incident
01:51 What does UX actually mean?
02:22 Free software has a User Experience problem...
03:36 "Free Software Developers"
05:24 RE: Sydney Butler
08:11 The one example Butler actually gave...
10:22 Redmond Design
11:48 Audacity is one of the true FOSS UX success stories
12:38 Three ways to improve FOSS UX
13:39 #2 Usage Statistics
15:54 #3 Your contributions
18:31 Conclusion
