Changelog Master Feed The world of open source metadata (Changelog Interviews #665)
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Nov 5, 2025 Andrew Nesbitt, founder of Libraries.io and creator of ecosyste.ms, dives into the vast realm of open source metadata. He discusses how he tracks over 12 million packages and 1.9 million maintainers to bolster digital infrastructure. Key topics include the challenges of package indexing, the importance of funding for maintainers, and the significance of dependency data. Andrew also shares insights on making datasets accessible for researchers and his vision for tools that help maintainers understand their software's impact and sustainability.
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24 Pull Requests Sparked Metadata Work
- The 24 Pull Requests project exposed how many repos lacked active maintainers and clear contribution paths.
- That motivated building metrics and tooling to highlight healthy, maintainable projects.
Critical Packages Often Lack Funding
- Many critical packages are maintained by single maintainers with limited funding.
- Only 25–50% of top packages have an automated funding link or sponsorship path.
Use Dual Licensing For Sustainability
- Offer dual data licenses: open CC BY-SA and paid commercial terms for restrictive use.
- Use paid licensing to cover hosting costs while keeping base data open for research.