One signal

An essay by the author of Who Is Open Source About? challenges Rich Hickey’s familiar argument that open source is not about the user. The author says maintainers and users are bound by a long-term, implicit relationship, shaped by reputation, influence, skill-building and the practical benefits of outsourcing.

Why it matters

That makes open source less like someone leaving a box of code on the pavement and more like an arrangement with maintenance costs, expectations and occasional awkward silence. It is an opinion piece, not a new software release, but it offers a useful lens for understanding why projects cannot treat every contribution or demand as equally valuable. Should open-source maintainers owe users an ongoing service relationship, or does that expectation undermine the volunteer nature of the work?

Discuss: Should open-source maintainers owe users an ongoing service relationship, or does that expectation undermine the volunteer nature of the work?

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