The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

Working in Public (Interview)

Aug 12, 2020

Nadia Eghbal, author of "Working in Public", dives into the intricate dynamics of open source software and community funding. She explores the transformative journey of open source and the critical needs for support among maintainers. Discussions include the evolving relationship between creators and platforms like GitHub, and the importance of intimate online communities. Nadia also reflects on the balance between public engagement and personal media, emphasizing the significance of nurturing connections in today's digital landscape.

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INSIGHT

Open Source as a Model

Modern open source offers valuable lessons for online communities.
It provides models for organizing creators and platforms in our increasingly online world.

INSIGHT

Beyond Funding

Open source has deeper problems than just funding and contributors.
Issues like use vs. contribution and the burden on few maintainers are more critical.

ANECDOTE

Accidental Fame

Open-source maintainers often gain responsibility unintentionally, unlike social media influencers.
This accidental fame creates unique challenges in open source.

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Nadia Eghbal is back and this time she’s talking with us about her new book Working in Public. If you’re an old school listener you might remember the podcast we produced with Nadia and Mikeal Rogers called Request for Commits. If you weren’t listening then, or can’t remember…don’t worry…the back catalog of Request for Commits is still online and subscribe-able via all the podcast ways. That podcast is still getting listens to this very day!

Obviously we go way back with Nadia…and having a chance to now talk with her through all the details of her new book Working in Public, this was a milestone for this show and Jerod and I. We talked through the reasons she wrote the book in the first place, Nadia’s thoughts on the future of the internet and the connection of creators to the platforms they build their followings on, and we also talk about the health of projects and communities and the challenges we face internet-at-large as well as right here in our backyard in the open source community.

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Featuring:

Nadia Eghbal – GitHub, X
Adam Stacoviak – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X
Jerod Santo – GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X

Show Notes:

Join Changelog++ to directly support us, make the ads disappear, AND for a chance to win a signed copy of Nadia’s book
The Changelog #193: Funding open source with Nadia Eghbal
Sindre Sorhus
Nadia’s post on Substack about Working in Public
Buy Working in Public: The Making and Maintenance of Open Source Software on Amazon

Something missing or broken? PRs welcome!