this post was submitted on 22 Dec 2023
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Technology

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truth of opensource and foss (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 8 months ago by glukoza@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/technology@beehaw.org
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[–] jarfil@beehaw.org 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Big Tech makes the cart FOSS, then they harvest the wheels... while a bunch of people discuss whether to add wings or to make it waterproof. /s

FOSS, and in particular the GPL, has two sides:

  • User protection: users get the guarantee that whenever the original dev(s) or Big Tech(s) get bored, switch objectives, or go belly up, then someone else will be able to continue development if they wish.
  • Corporate cooperation: corporations get the guarantee that no other corporation can take their work, add a couple killer features, and use them to kick the original corporation out of the market.

The problem with FOSS, begins with the argument of "but if I can't take your work to kick you off the market and leave all users stranded, then it isn't real freedom". Kind of similar to the arguments around "free speech".

There is a way for "Big Tech" to play along with everyone, then it's up to each corporation whether they will.