The threat to open source comes from within (Changelog News #91)
Apr 22, 2024
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Guests discuss the open source threat from within, Redis forks, and Ghost team plans to federate over ActivityPub. Llama 3 model now available, and nolen shares tips on what to ask when not willing to work.
The threat to open source is internal, with conflicts eroding the ecosystem, highlighting the danger within the community.
Redis's focus on enterprise sales has shifted from developers, causing concern over license changes and alienating the community.
Deep dives
Challenges to Open Source Community
The threat to open source is not solely external like the XZ-back door but also internal. Forest Brazil highlights that the real danger comes from within, emphasizing a chilling effect that has been silently eroding the open source ecosystem for over a decade. The internal struggles and conflicts within the open source community pose a greater risk of disruption than external threats. Forest's somber conclusion reflects on the precarious balance of open source, where cloud companies view it as exploitable and OSS software firms struggle with sustainability, leading to a potential collapse of the ecosystem.
Redis License Controversy
Vicki Boykis voices concerns over the shift in Redis's focus from developers to enterprise sales and generative AI, altering its community-oriented essence. The sudden license changes by Redis have triggered a ripple effect, with projects withholding updates or migrating to alternative solutions. The licensing changes, although legally sound, have alienated the community, signaling a departure from inclusive collaboration in favor of commercial interests. Vicki's disappointment echoes widespread sentiments that Redis may no longer align with the ethos of community-driven open source software.
Forrest Brazeal is concerned about the open source threat from within, Vicki Boykis explains why Redis is forked, John O’Nolan and the Ghost team plan to federate over ActivityPub, Llama 3 is now available for “businesses of all sizes” & nolen writes up questions to ask when you don’t want to work.
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