Hearing the Simple Minds song “Alive and Kicking” (and perhaps, dating myself a bit...) reminded me how vital the overall feel can be to not only music but for software projects too.

In the open source world, I still see platform shaming and unnecessary hostility towards competing tools rather than educating users about what makes our projects valuable. Let’s draw interest through thoughtful design and relevant value rather than a binary us vs. them viewpoint.

Here’s the question that drives my development philosophy: Can users love their web publishing tool the way they love a favourite song or book?

That emotional connection is what I’m always striving for with my latest open-source project: **https://Docsify-This.net.**

❓What’s your take? How do we move away from “What technical features does this have?” to "What will this do for me and my work?" in our project communication? Feel free to **share your feedback or comments.**

PS: Since I’ve already dated myself, let’s also take a moment to reflect on the other phenomenal albums in the Fall of 1985:

• The Waterboys, Whole of the Moon
• New Order, Low-Life
• R.E.M., Fables of the Reconstruction
• The Cure, The Head on the Door
• Talking Heads, Little Creatures
• Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Crush
• 'Til Tuesday, Voices Carry
• The Cult, Love
• Echo & the Bunnymen, Bring On the Dancing Horses