EmbeddingGemma 2: an open, lightweight multimodal embedding model
deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Lobsters·29d ago·5 min read
Nobody pays for open source. We can force them to. | Seldo.com
TL;DR
Open source software operates under a stable economic model where free access prevails, leading to a competitive advantage for fully open projects. The author argues that this dynamic can be leveraged to encourage financial support for open source initiatives.
✦ Why It Matters
Consider adopting a fully open source license to enhance project competitiveness and attract funding.
Key Takeaways
- Support open source projects financially to reduce maintainer burnout.
- Recognize the importance of maintainers in software security.
- Advocate for companies to compensate developers directly.
- Explore alternative funding models for open source sustainability.
Full Summary
Open source software operates under an evolutionarily stable strategy where free access prevails, yet 60% of maintainers are unpaid, leading to high burnout rates. Despite the vast number of open source projects, only 11% are actively maintained, with a small percentage of developers contributing the majority of code.
Companies spend billions on tools that ensure the reliability of open source code, but this money rarely reaches the developers. The article highlights that while free software wins in terms of usage, the supply chain game is dominated by companies that provide support and security, not the original maintainers.
This imbalance raises concerns about the sustainability of open source development and the need for a new funding model.