What I Learned Over 15 Years of Working on My Own PDF Reader - Reflections of a Creator

In this article, the author shares valuable lessons learned from 15 years of developing SumatraPDF, an open-source PDF viewer for Windows. Known for its simplicity and speed, SumatraPDF has become a popular choice among many users. The author emphasizes the importance of simplicity in software design and development. Every new feature addition should be well-thought-out to avoid burdening users with unnecessary options. Another significant point is the support from the community, which has proven vital to the success of the project. Open source software requires active user participation for growth, and SumatraPDF has gained enthusiastic contributors who have helped improve the application. Ultimately, the author notes that open source also means being open to criticism and constructive feedback, which is an invaluable part of enhancing the application.