On 2019-09-06 13:27:53 +0100 (+0100), Chris Dent wrote: [...]
Most people work on OpenStack because it is their job or is closely related to their job. But because it is "open source" and "a community" and "collaborative" doing what people ask for and helping others achieve what they need is but one small piece of the motivation and action calculus. [...]
I don't know that this captures my motivation, at least. I chose my job so that I could assist in the creation and maintenance of OpenStack and similar free software, not the other way around. Maybe I'm in a minority within the community, but I suspect there are more folks than just me who feel the same.
I don't believe that OpenStack is (currently and through the peak of its history) open source. It is collaborative inter-enterprise development that allows large companies to have a market in which they make a load of money. [...]
Yes, making these tasks easier and less expensive for "large companies" like CERN, SKA, MOC, and all manner of other research and educational organizations is what causes this work to be worthwhile for me. I like that what we do provides a positive contribution to the sum total knowledge of our species. I personally think this aspect can't be overstated. What we do matters beyond the desire and ability for some self-serving commercial enterprises to take and give nothing back. The nature of modern business is exploitation, but it's not as if the commons of free software is the only resource they're exploiting to their own gain. I'm all for the people of our planet coming together to fight injustice or abuse by corporate and political powers, but the problem extends far, far beyond our community and pretending we can solve such abuse and oppression within OpenStack without looking at the bigger picture is short-sighted and naive. I'm disappointed that you don't think the software you're making is open source. I think the software I'm making is open source, and if I didn't I wouldn't be here. -- Jeremy Stanley