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Bozhidar is the author of RuboCop, Cider, Prelude, Projectile, and many other popular open-source projects. He has been doing open-source development for more than a decade, sustainably. Not an easy task! In this talk, Bozhidar walks us through what it is to maintain, and sustain, open-source projects for the long term.
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In this engaging talk at the Balkan Ruby 2024, Bozhidar Batsov discusses the complexities of sustainable open-source software (OSS) development, drawing from his extensive experience as a long-time contributor and maintainer of prominent projects such as RuboCop and Cider. Batsov emphasizes that maintaining OSS for the long term involves numerous challenges, which vary significantly between enterprise and hobby or hacker open-source projects. He shares the story of Nick Sutterer, an open-source developer who faced the pressures of community expectations after his hobby project gained popularity, highlighting the often-overlooked burdens of documentation, user support, and community engagement that come with success. Key points of the presentation include: - **The Nature of OSS**: OSS is often perceived as a light-hearted endeavor, but it entails significant work beyond just writing code, especially when a project becomes successful. - **Types of OSS**: Batsov categorizes OSS into two types: enterprise (which is inherently sustainable) and hobby projects, which rely on passion and interest but can quickly become overwhelming for maintainers. - **Financial Models and Sustainability**: He critiques current funding models such as donations and crowdfunding, pointing out their volatility and the social expectation stemming from "free" software that diminishes the likelihood of sustained financial support. He notes real-life challenges with dependence on donations, emphasizing the dwindling funds amid economic downturns. - **Managing Expectations**: The importance of saying "no" to requests that increase maintenance overhead is stressed, as projects must focus on what maintainers are truly passionate about to sustain enthusiasm and avoid burnout. - **Community Involvement**: Batsov encourages fostering a community around OSS to distribute responsibilities and reduce the "bus factor," ensuring that projects can endure even without the continued presence of a single maintainer. - **Key Takeaway**: Sustainable open-source development hinges on balancing enjoyment and funding. OSS should primarily be fun for developers, and while funding is a consideration, it should not overshadow the core passion driving the work. In conclusion, Batsov calls for the open-source community to recognize that maintainers are not obligated to meet every user demand, and that the health of OSS hinges on the enjoyment of the contributors. Any path towards sustainability must prioritize this key belief.
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