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Enterprises have embraced Open Source software - but their grip is suffocating. Business critical software is plagued by vulnerabilities because of maintainer burnout. We're looking for more sustainable models, and regaining control over what our code can be used for - enter the Hippocratic License. GitHub taking down software that was vital infrastructure for opposition groups in Spain shows us that no one party (let alone company) should own access to open source software. The world runs on open source, how do we make sure it can do so sustainably and reliably? rubyday 2020 - Virtual edition, September 16th 2020. https://2020.rubyday.it/ Next edition: https://2021.rubyday.it/
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The video, titled "OSS - To Be Defined" and presented by Floor Drees at RubyDay 2020, explores the complexities and challenges surrounding open-source software in contemporary enterprises. Although open-source software has been embraced by many organizations, Drees argues that this popularity often leads to a "suffocating grip," resulting in vulnerabilities attributable to maintainer burnout. Her focus shifts towards sustainable models of open-source engagement, particularly through newer licensing frameworks like the Hippocratic License. Key points discussed in the video include: - **Sustainable Models**: The need for open-source software to transition into more sustainable models that allow maintainers to retain control over how their code is used while preventing abuse for unethical purposes. - **Maintainer Burnout**: Highlighting that many maintainers face overwhelming workloads, leading to risks of critical software being left unsupported. - **Ethical Source Initiative**: The emergence of the Hippocratic License by Coraline Ada Emke is introduced as an effort to retain ethical considerations in software usage, specifically prohibiting its use for human rights abuses. - **Corporate Challenges**: Drees provides examples of corporations exploiting open-source software without giving back, such as the incident involving MongoDB and AWS. She describes the shortcomings of the OSI definition of open source which permits usage by potentially harmful entities. - **Political Responsibility**: She stresses that technology is not neutral and carries inherently political implications, calling for developers to be mindful of the impacts of their work. - **Inclusivity and Awareness**: The need for a more diverse contributor base and for institutions to adapt to the demands of these evolving ethical standards is emphasized. - **Community Efforts**: Drees encourages community advocacy efforts, such as supporting projects through financial means and participating in discussions to create change. In conclusion, Drees calls for active participation and innovation in the open-source community to ensure that it serves as a beneficial force rather than a tool for corporate consolidation of power. She illustrates the importance of protecting and properly compensating open-source contributors, facilitating a conversation about ethics in software development, and advancing organizations that prioritize inclusion and empathy. This transition reshapes the understanding of open source as essential infrastructure governed not only by technical merits but also by ethical considerations.
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