Peter Zaitsev
What Makes Open Source Work: Licensing and Beyond
#1about 2 minutes
Defining open source software beyond the license
Open source is typically defined by its OSI-approved license, but this legal definition alone may not capture the full value of a project.
#2about 6 minutes
Understanding the diverse stakeholders in open source
The open source ecosystem involves lawyers, commercial investors, contributors, and end-users, each with different motivations and perspectives on what makes a project work.
#3about 2 minutes
Why end users choose to adopt open source software
Users are drawn to open source software because it offers a lower total cost of ownership, a competitive ecosystem of vendors, and the freedom to customize solutions.
#4about 4 minutes
Why an open source license is necessary but not sufficient
A valid license is essential but doesn't guarantee a project is usable or healthy, as commercial interests can lead to degradation that harms the user experience.
#5about 3 minutes
Evaluating projects using the organic software model
Simon Phipps' "organic software" concept provides a scorecard for assessing project health based on governance, roadmaps, and the ability to fork, as seen with OpenTofu and Valkey.
#6about 4 minutes
A practical checklist for assessing open source projects
Key criteria for evaluating a project's long-term viability include its governance model, public development process, community health, vendor ecosystem, and security maintenance.
#7about 3 minutes
The central role of community-centric governance
A project's core incentive structure, specifically whether it is governed by and for the community, is the most important predictor of its long-term health and user-friendliness.
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Senior Software Engineer [TypeScript] (Prisma Postgres)
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