Open Source Software Does Not Necessarily Mean Open Community
By
feld
A snack-sized bagel for a snack-sized appetite.
Summary
The article argues that open source software does not inherently imply an open community. It traces the history of open source back to before modern version control systems, when projects were shared via simple webpages, FTP servers, and email. The author contends that the early model of open source—where a single author or small group released code publicly without necessarily fostering a collaborative community—is still valid today. The piece challenges the modern assumption that open source must come with community engagement, forums, and contribution workflows.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledOpen source software has existed long before the invention of the (D)VCS.
The author likely hosted a barebones HTML webpage or a txt file describing the project.
This was and still is open source.
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