NetNewsWire Status

2026-06-17 · Source: Simon Willison's Weblog · Field: Technology & Digital — Software Development & Engineering · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

NetNewsWire, an RSS reader initially released in 2002 and subsequently made open source in 2018, is currently undergoing dedicated development as the retirement project of its creator, Brent Simmons. Simmons, who retired a year ago, is focusing his efforts on significantly improving the software, operating entirely free from commercial pressures. The application, described as "like podcasts, but for reading," is available for Mac and iPhone, and the author has found it indispensable over several years of use. This initiative underscores a commitment to refining a long-standing open-source application, prioritizing quality and user utility outside of typical market demands.

Key takeaway

For software developers considering long-term project sustainability, Brent Simmons' approach with NetNewsWire demonstrates the value of non-commercial dedication. If you are evaluating open-source contributions, prioritize projects with clear, sustained commitment to quality over market pressures. Your investment in such tools can yield highly refined and indispensable software, fostering a robust and user-centric ecosystem.

Key insights

Dedicated, non-commercial development can elevate open-source software quality.

Principles

• Freedom from commercial pressure enables focused improvement.
• Long-term commitment enhances user indispensability.

In practice

• Support open-source projects with long-term vision.
• Explore established open-source tools for daily use.

Topics

• NetNewsWire
• RSS Reader
• Open-Source Software
• Software Development
• Retirement Project
• Mac
• iPhone

Best for: Software Engineer, General Interest

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Simon Willison's Weblog.