Why Linux users report so many bugs
Summary
The developer of ΔV: Rings of Saturn shows that Linux players contributed a disproportionate number of high-quality bug reports, mostly about platform-independent problems. At the time the game had sold a little more than 12,000 copies. About 700 sales were on Linux.
Ideas
- Linux users accounted for 5.8 percent of sales.
- They provided 38 percent of all bug reports received.
- Only three of 400 reported bugs were specific to Linux.
- Many reports contained reproducible steps and helpful technical details.
Insights
- A small, technically skilled group of users can act as distributed quality assurance.
- More bug reports do not necessarily mean more platform bugs.
- An open development culture trains users to report problems constructively.
Facts
- In total about 1,040 bug reports were received.
Recommendations
- Ask for reproduction steps, logs and exact version information.
- Treat active bug reporters as contributors rather than a support burden.
References
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