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OSS Report: ente-io/ente


Ente Project Faces User Experience Challenges Amidst Active Development Efforts

Ente, an open-source encrypted platform for secure cloud storage and authentication, has seen a surge in user-reported issues related to authentication and performance, while the development team actively works on feature enhancements and bug fixes.

Recent Activity

The Ente project has experienced a notable influx of user-reported issues, particularly concerning authentication failures and performance inefficiencies. Issues such as #3155 and #3149 highlight user interface glitches, while #3106 and #3087 point to installation and app stability problems. These issues suggest a need for improved error handling and compatibility across platforms.

Development efforts have been vigorous, with key contributors like Manav Rathi focusing on search functionality enhancements and machine learning integrations. Recent commits include:

  1. Vishnu Mohandas

    • Increased DatePicker range.
    • Fixed filename issues.
  2. Manav Rathi

    • Refactored search functionalities.
    • Enhanced ML services.
  3. Neeraj Gupta

    • Improved mobile logging and file uploads.
  4. Ashil

    • Enhanced mobile UI and guest view features.
  5. Laurens Priem

    • Optimized ML indexing speed.
  6. Crowdin Bot

    • Automated translations for multilingual support.

Of Note

Quantified Reports

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Recent GitHub Issues Activity

Timespan Opened Closed Comments Labeled Milestones
7 Days 7 3 13 1 1
30 Days 99 78 159 5 1
90 Days 172 122 322 19 1
1 Year 363 200 781 36 1
All Time 672 502 - - -

Like all software activity quantification, these numbers are imperfect but sometimes useful. Comments, Labels, and Milestones refer to those issues opened in the timespan in question.

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Quantified Commit Activity Over 30 Days

Developer Avatar Branches PRs Commits Files Changes
Manav Rathi 8 59/59/0 182 150 12142
Neeraj Gupta 7 51/51/0 54 94 9731
Crowdin Bot 6 0/0/0 10 80 7086
Laurens Priem 4 13/13/0 33 31 2288
Shamshid (shmshd) 1 2/2/0 1 53 1080
None (github-actions[bot]) 2 13/12/1 3 18 970
Aman Raj Singh Mourya (AmanRajSinghMourya) 5 3/1/0 15 54 966
Prateek Sunal 3 6/5/0 10 15 363
Ashil 4 13/13/0 14 27 248
Tanguy (Eseltwift) 2 5/5/0 2 9 149
Vishnu Mohandas 3 12/12/0 6 36 122
SpeeterYT 1 0/0/0 1 1 24
None (casualsailo) 1 1/1/0 3 4 21
Johannes7k75 1 2/2/0 1 2 18
None (JamesS-M) 1 1/1/0 1 2 9
Z13B (Zer1an) 1 2/1/1 1 2 8
Brogio (brog-io) 1 1/1/0 1 2 8
saibotk (saibotk) 1 2/2/0 3 3 6
None (ludespeedny) 1 1/1/0 1 1 5
S T (stro) 0 1/1/0 0 0 0
toonn (toonn) 0 1/0/1 0 0 0
Victor Muthiani (Vantesh) 0 1/0/1 0 0 0
None (bsian03) 0 1/0/0 0 0 0
None (AgentT30) 0 1/0/1 0 0 0
Louis Lam (louislam) 0 1/1/0 0 0 0
Simon (shoetten) 0 1/0/0 0 0 0
Ikko Eltociear Ashimine (eltociear) 0 1/0/0 0 0 0
None (araghon007) 0 1/1/0 0 0 0
None (MonkeySaint) 0 1/0/0 0 0 0
green. (greeeen-dev) 0 1/1/0 0 0 0
Licaon_Kter (licaon-kter) 0 1/0/1 0 0 0
Aaron Torres (aarontorres0) 0 1/1/0 0 0 0

PRs: created by that dev and opened/merged/closed-unmerged during the period

Detailed Reports

Report On: Fetch issues



Recent Activity Analysis

The recent activity on the Ente GitHub repository indicates a significant volume of issues, with 170 open issues currently logged. Notably, many of these issues relate to user experience problems across various platforms, particularly concerning the Ente Auth and Ente Photos applications. A recurring theme is the difficulty users face with authentication processes, including problems with two-factor authentication (2FA) codes not being recognized or generated correctly. Additionally, there are multiple reports of installation issues on different Linux distributions, particularly regarding dependency management and compatibility with newer versions of libraries.

Several issues also highlight user frustrations with the application's performance, such as slow indexing times for photos and high CPU usage during operations. The community appears engaged, with many users providing detailed reproduction steps and logs, which could aid in troubleshooting.

Issue Details

Most Recently Created Issues

  1. Issue #3155: A white flash appears when opening the app

    • Priority: Triage
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 2 days ago
    • Updated: Not updated
  2. Issue #3149: Zoom does not work in desktop/web apps on live photos

    • Priority: Triage
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 2 days ago
    • Updated: Not updated
  3. Issue #3144: Incorrect password error when creating an account after verification code

    • Priority: Triage
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 3 days ago
    • Updated: Not updated
  4. Issue #3106: ente deb cannot be installed on Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS

    • Priority: Triage
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 5 days ago
    • Updated: Not updated
  5. Issue #3087: Android app crashes a lot when editing or deleting an authentication code

    • Priority: Triage
    • Status: Open
    • Created: 8 days ago
    • Updated: Not updated

Most Recently Updated Issues

  1. Issue #2406: Passkeys do not support Yubikey NFC on iOS

    • Priority: Web
    • Status: Closed
    • Created: 61 days ago
    • Updated: 58 days ago
  2. Issue #2409: Auth black screen when cancelling import [macOS]

    • Priority: Closed
    • Status: Closed
    • Created: 61 days ago
    • Updated: 52 days ago
  3. Issue #2418: Request for New Language Translation (Japanese)

    • Priority: Closed
    • Status: Closed
    • Created: 60 days ago
    • Updated: 60 days ago
  4. Issue #2388: [spam]

    • Status closed.
    • Created 63 days ago.
  5. Issue #2356: Login Error.

    • Status closed.
    • Created 67 days ago.

Analysis of Themes and Commonalities

  • There is a clear pattern of issues related to authentication failures, particularly concerning the handling of two-factor authentication codes across different platforms (mobile and desktop). This suggests a potential need for improved synchronization between devices or better error handling within the application.

  • Installation difficulties are prevalent among Linux users, especially regarding dependency management for various distributions (e.g., Ubuntu and Fedora). This indicates that the packaging process may require further refinement to ensure compatibility across different environments.

  • User experience concerns are frequently mentioned, particularly regarding performance issues like slow indexing times for photos and high resource consumption during operations. These aspects could significantly impact user satisfaction and retention.

  • The community's engagement is notable, with users providing detailed feedback and logs that can assist developers in diagnosing issues effectively. However, there is also a concern about the volume of minor issues being reported, which may overwhelm the development team.

Overall, while the Ente project demonstrates strong community involvement and a commitment to user privacy through its open-source model, addressing these recurring themes will be essential for enhancing usability and maintaining user trust in the platform's reliability.

Report On: Fetch pull requests



Overview

The analysis of the pull requests (PRs) for the Ente project reveals a total of 8 open PRs and 1849 closed PRs, with recent activity indicating ongoing enhancements and bug fixes across various components of the application. The PRs cover a range of topics including documentation updates, feature enhancements, and critical bug fixes.

Summary of Pull Requests

Open Pull Requests

  • PR #3168: [docs] update import.md

    • Created: 0 days ago
    • Significance: A minor documentation fix correcting a typo ("seperated" to "separated") in the import guide.
  • PR #3163: [cli] fix Failed to encrypt invalid key #1510

    • Created: 1 day ago
    • Significance: Addresses a critical issue with CLI encryption for Linux users by changing the encoding method to base64. This change may disrupt existing users but provides a workaround for current issues.
  • PR #3141: mob: fixes

    • Created: 3 days ago
    • Significance: Implements sorting for upload statuses to ensure consistent user experience. It also includes a TODO for future enhancement to display previously uploaded items.
  • PR #3132: [Auth] Add icon for GOV.UK

    • Created: 4 days ago
    • Significance: Introduces a new icon for UK government services, with feedback suggesting improvements on SVG rendering.
  • PR #3131: [mob][photos] Require Authentication on App Reopen from Guest View

    • Created: 4 days ago
    • Significance: Enhances security by requiring authentication when reopening the app from guest mode.
  • PR #3121: [docs] [auth] Add the new method to extract TOTP codes from authy

    • Created: 5 days ago
    • Significance: Adds documentation for a new method to export TOTP codes from Authy, aiding users with rooted Android devices.
  • PR #3108: [auth] Add Appbar Lock Icon for Manual App Locking on Desktop

    • Created: 5 days ago
    • Significance: Introduces a manual lock feature for the desktop app, enhancing user control over security.
  • PR #2734: [mob][photos] Add New Album Card Widget for Collecting Photos

    • Created: 23 days ago
    • Significance: A substantial addition aimed at improving photo collection management within the mobile app, though it has faced some review comments regarding naming conventions and code structure.

Closed Pull Requests

  • PR #3165: [staff] Increase number of years available within DatePicker to 100

    • Merged after addressing a limitation in date selection, enhancing user experience.
  • PR #3162: [web] More search related refactoring

    • Focused on refactoring search functionalities in preparation for new features.
  • PR #3161: [web] Misc tweaks

    • Included minor adjustments across various components, indicating ongoing maintenance efforts.
  • Multiple PRs related to translations and localization were merged, reflecting an active effort to enhance multi-language support across platforms.

Analysis of Pull Requests

The recent activity within the Ente project's pull requests highlights several key themes and areas of focus:

  1. Documentation and Minor Fixes: A notable portion of open PRs is dedicated to improving documentation and fixing minor issues. For instance, PR #3168 addresses a simple typo that could lead to confusion among users. Such attention to detail is crucial in maintaining clarity in user guides, especially in projects that prioritize security and usability like Ente.

  2. Security Enhancements: Several recent PRs focus on security improvements. The introduction of mandatory authentication upon reopening the app from guest mode (PR #3131) is particularly significant as it directly addresses potential vulnerabilities. Similarly, the addition of a manual lock icon (PR #3108) empowers users with greater control over their data security.

  3. Feature Development and User Experience: The project is actively evolving its features based on user feedback and internal discussions. For example, PR #3141 enhances upload status management, which could significantly improve user experience during data uploads. The ongoing development of new UI components (e.g., album card widgets) indicates a commitment to enhancing the mobile application’s functionality.

  4. Community Engagement: The presence of multiple contributors suggests an engaged community willing to provide feedback and collaborate on improvements. Discussions around SVG rendering in PR #3132 exemplify this collaborative spirit where contributors provide constructive feedback that enhances code quality.

  5. Anomalies and Concerns: While there is substantial activity in merging PRs, some older PRs remain open without resolution (e.g., PR #2734). This could indicate potential bottlenecks in the review process or differing priorities among contributors. Addressing these older PRs should be considered to maintain momentum and community engagement.

  6. Translation Efforts: The frequent merging of translation-related PRs reflects an ongoing effort to make Ente accessible to a broader audience. This is essential for community-driven projects aiming for global reach and usability.

In summary, the Ente project demonstrates robust activity across various fronts—security enhancements, feature development, community engagement, and documentation improvements—all contributing towards its goal of providing a secure alternative to mainstream cloud services. However, attention should be given to managing older PRs effectively to sustain contributor interest and project momentum.

Report On: Fetch commits



Repo Commits Analysis

Development Team and Recent Activity

Team Members and Recent Contributions

  1. Vishnu Mohandas (vishnukvmd)

    • Recent Activity:
    • Increased the number of years available in the DatePicker to 100.
    • Fixed Triple-T filenames.
    • Collaborations: Notably worked with Manav Rathi on filename fixes.
  2. Manav Rathi (mnvr)

    • Recent Activity:
    • Extensive refactoring related to search functionalities, including significant changes in the Search component files.
    • Introduced new features and improvements in ML services, including cgroup synchronization and search service enhancements.
    • Multiple minor fixes and cleanups across various components, including UI tweaks and translation updates.
    • Collaborated with multiple team members on various tasks, including translations and bug fixes.
    • In Progress Work: Ongoing work on ML features and search-related functionalities.
  3. Neeraj Gupta (ua741)

    • Recent Activity:
    • Worked on mobile features, including logging improvements and handling file uploads.
    • Addressed issues related to multipart uploads and ensured proper file handling.
    • Collaborations: Collaborated with Ashil on mobile UI changes.
  4. Ashil (ashilkn)

    • Recent Activity:
    • Made UI improvements in mobile applications, including fixes for floating buttons and back button functionality.
    • Worked on guest view features for mobile apps.
    • Collaborations: Frequently collaborated with Neeraj Gupta.
  5. Laurens Priem (laurenspriem)

    • Recent Activity:
    • Focused on ML optimizations, including improving indexing speed and simplifying code structures.
    • Contributed to mobile app features related to machine learning services.
    • Collaborations: Worked closely with other team members on ML-related tasks.
  6. Crowdin Bot (crowdin-bot)

    • Recent Activity:
    • Automated translations for both Ente Photos and Ente Auth projects.

Patterns, Themes, and Conclusions

  • High Activity Level: The team has shown a high level of activity over the past few days, particularly with Manav Rathi leading in commits, indicating a focus on enhancing the search functionality and machine learning capabilities within the application.

  • Collaboration: There is significant collaboration among team members, especially between Neeraj Gupta and Ashil on mobile features, as well as between Vishnu Mohandas and Manav Rathi on filename issues. This suggests a cohesive team dynamic where members actively support each other's work.

  • Feature Development vs. Bug Fixes: The recent commits reflect a balance between new feature development (e.g., enhancements in ML services) and addressing bugs or improving existing functionalities (e.g., UI tweaks).

  • Translation Efforts: The involvement of the Crowdin bot highlights an ongoing effort to maintain multilingual support within the applications, which is crucial for user engagement across different regions.

  • Focus Areas: The primary focus appears to be on improving user experience through UI enhancements, optimizing performance via ML integrations, and ensuring robust functionality through extensive testing and bug fixes.

Overall, the development team is actively engaged in enhancing the Ente project while maintaining a collaborative environment that fosters both feature development and quality assurance.