When put my app on SourceForge February 2004 had vague ideas about what might happen. None of which occurred. What did happen was rapid and quiet global usage. Would be years though until SourceForge gave country stats so I just had downloads to consider which might be like 9 on a good day. But app was simple enough that I had no reason not to support it.
That simplicity I think revealed how open source can be used to build a global footprint with basic tools that are just useful. Is a great incentive! To focus on something that fits a developer need as simply as possible that is open and focus much on GUI as that is where people will really appreciate some thought.
The app to me? Was me wanting an interface on Class object. When Java was still a very new and young language. Now with just this app alone am quietly global. Get no support requests and thank you so much users! I have a global software product thanks to developers who downloaded. THAT is super cool and simplicity ruled.