Who Is Open Source About?

Open source software is not merely about the users, but also about the maintainers who create and maintain it. Rich Hickey made a famous post stating that open source is not about users, but the author believes this is not entirely accurate. The exchange of open source software involves a relationship between maintainers and users, with both sides having obligations, rights, and social consequences.

Maintainers release open source software for various reasons, such as advertising, influencing others, reducing hiring and training costs, and gaining transferable expertise. For instance, a visible contributor to an open source project can find it easier to secure work in the same domain. Additionally, maintaining open source projects can help reduce hiring and training costs for employers, as potential employees can read the code and become familiar with the company's internal systems.

However, the article questions the underlying assumptions of the open source model. If maintainers are primarily focused on receiving money from corporate users, why do they release open source software at all? There may be other motivations, such as personal pride, working with good teams, and giving gifts to the community. The article argues that maintainers should have a clear understanding of the costs, benefits, and ethical implications of their relationship with users.