The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source Open source is at a crossroads (Interview)
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Sep 20, 2023 In this discussion, Steve O’Grady, Principal Analyst and Co-founder at RedMonk, dives into the evolving definition of open source amidst external pressures. He shares insights on the ethical considerations of licensing and its implications for developers and companies. The conversation touches on the impact of cloud computing on open source, potential redefinitions of licenses, and the importance of community commitment. O'Grady emphasizes that preserving open source integrity is critical for collaboration and trust, urging the developer community to take collective action.
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Developer Apathy
- Developers' apparent indifference towards open source definitions stems from not having to worry about them due to existing protections.
- Arbitrary license restrictions based on usage create complexities for developers and businesses.
JSHint's Licensing Challenge
- The JSHint project faced adoption challenges due to its "for good, not evil" clause, which was eventually removed.
- It was a huge headache to remove this clause from the license.
The Allure of "Open Source"
- There's a clear advantage to labeling software as "open source."
- This incentivizes some to blur the lines for their own benefit.