Just recently installed Ascii v2 onto an Asus 1000HA netbook with N270 i386.
I think the reviewer noted some of the same things I noticed. The installer asked more questions, but I felt they were generally helpful and intended to avoid future problems.

There are simpler installers that provide a simpler experience. Devuan provides options to set it up as you wish while installing, which I liked. Perhaps in the future offer a guided, newbie install and an advanced version that offers more variation and control, if you want better reviews.

Reviews offer a chance for the developers to see how others see the system they've built through user eyes. Even advanced users have learned the quirks and no longer see them as lacking, only just something to remember. Newcomers do not have that advantage.

This review is generally positive. Address some of these issues in future releases in order to grow a larger user base. When you do, you will find an even larger set of differing opinions. Success is a mixed bag. The choice is to decide whether to create a base system for distro developers, a sys admins system or a system that might please everyone. Or something in between whatever that might be.

Devuan is not Ubuntu. Expecting the Ubuntu experience from Devuan is unrealistic but is a common metric for reviewers. While most users can use Linux after installation, installing still requires a bit of experience to navigate, or at least a willingness to explore and learn.

Devuan, like Debian is usable. Neither provides all the ease of use of many distros out of the box, although the tools may be there. "Batteries included but not installed."

Thanks for the experience. You are doing good work.