Where is the sense behind shared Projicts of OSHPark?

[Wh1sper]

The subject tell it all.
I really cannot find the sense behind https://oshpark.com/shared_projects
Very seldom there is a link to a Project site or a little more description.
I mean if I want to share my design, who cares if I not provide information about it?
Do I miss something here?

[jancumps]

You can link to it from your project's web site.

[Wh1sper]

Yes, easy. But why the heck not the other way around?
Why sharing a PCB and not telling what it is? Thats the major of most OSH shared Projects.

[krivx]

Yes, easy. But why the heck not the other way around?

Maybe they thought it was unlikely that people would want to order some PCBs without any specifics in mind?

[SirNick]

I see it as a painless order fulfillment service.  If I develop an open-source hardware design and link to the OSH Park project on my blog (or whatever), then others can follow the link and get the PCB made with a minimum of effort.  Saves having to download Eagle, create Gerbers from the project files, find a provider that can make them, etc. etc...

To anyone with a little PCB experience, it's probably not an obvious advantage.  But in the world of Arduino and kits, it's one less thing a budding hobbyist would have to deal with.  Its success is entirely dependent on those contributing though.

[jancumps]

I see it as a painless order fulfillment service.  If I develop an open-source hardware design and link to the OSH Park project on my blog (or whatever), then others can follow the link and get the PCB made with a minimum of effort.  Saves having to download Eagle, create Gerbers from the project files, find a provider that can make them, etc. etc...

To anyone with a little PCB experience, it's probably not an obvious advantage.  But in the world of Arduino and kits, it's one less thing a budding hobbyist would have to deal with.  Its success is entirely dependent on those contributing though.

There is the simple advantage that you don't have to generate and upload the fab files to OSH Park if you want to use someone's design. Another opportunity to make it easier for someone to use your design without too much effort from your side.
It's a nice enabler that doesn't block any other options.