this post was submitted on 17 Feb 2025
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160
Open source maintainers are feeling the squeeze (www.theregister.com)
submitted 6 days ago by hamburgheftig@feddit.org to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 70 points 6 days ago (3 children)

Sounds to me that some maintainers need to learn how to say "no." I get that certain people use their software in critical applications, but sometimes a "fuck you, no. I'm not doing that right now" is well deserved or even necessary. You can even go a step further and cite their belligerence, if that's warranted.

The beauty of open source is that people can fork software if things aren't getting fixed or moving in a direction they like. And if they don't and still complain, bring out the ol' "fuck you, no."

Cosgrove said, "I'm afraid it'll take a significant project falling over to convince them [the users] that paying for open source maintainers is worthwhile and, in fact, may actually be a requirement.

"I don't want to see that happen because the fallout will be ugly and gross, but I'm concerned that that's what it'll take."

I disagree that it will take money. If you're a maintainer, it's your passion project. Tell people to fuck off once in a while. The people who really care will either join you to improve things or make something better out of spite.

[–] truthfultemporarily@feddit.org 41 points 6 days ago (4 children)

I'm not sure if you've ever had a public project, but for most people, be it YouTube, twitch, github, whatever, its not so easy. Negative comments grate on you, and, over time, can really take a toll.

William Osman interviewed a bunch or creators about this: https://youtu.be/DVCpKfedfok

Its not as easy as to call people out. Some people go great lengths out of spite, doxx you, send you death threats.. Is it really worth it? Not that a "fuck off" will work anyway.

You say people will join you but they really don't. The reality is there are a ton of crucial open source projects being run by one person on the edge of burnout. See curl, xy, etc.

Money absolutely would help and I wish the EU would put additional funding into this.

[–] Obelix@feddit.org 14 points 6 days ago

Money absolutely would help and I wish the EU would put additional funding into this.

Not only the EU. Let's be honest: curl is used at Google, Meta, Apple and every other tech company. There is no reason why the EU should be the only entity funding them. Just funnel some of those tens of billions of revenue every quarter into the software that is essential to run your business.

[–] TimeSquirrel@kbin.melroy.org 7 points 6 days ago (1 children)

It's also a security risk. Wasn't there just a recently discovered backdoor in some widely used library that was put there by someone who fooled a burned out/depressed maintainer?

[–] SMillerNL@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

Yes, XZ the compression library that everyone uses.

[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 7 points 6 days ago

I appreciate your perspective!

[–] 0x0@programming.dev 5 points 6 days ago

being run by one person on the edge of burnout. See curl, xy, etc.

While Stenberg is the main developer, he's not the sole developer not does he seem to be on the edge of burnout.

[–] JackAttack@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 6 days ago

I whole heartily agree to a good ole "fuck you"; But I also think that money shouldn't be a requirement but highly encouraged. I'm a hypocrite for this because I don't monetarily support every open source I use. However, for the critical open source I use like 3rd party Android OS, clients for apps like Lemmy, etc. I'm more than happy to donate what I can. Hell, I'd donate to all if I had to resources to. I don't have a good solution but I do think donating (when it can be afforded) should be highly encouraged and something not a lot of people think about/know about/or consider since they may be using it because it's free to begin with.

[–] 0x0@programming.dev 7 points 6 days ago

bring out the ol’ “fuck you, no.”

fork(u)

[–] 0x0@programming.dev 29 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Tanna is relatively fortunate – his employer gives him four hours a month to work on the project.

4 full hours?! Wooooow, what a benevolent employer! ~/s~

[–] pelya@lemmy.world 8 points 6 days ago

Other companies provide nothing, so it's definitely better than average.