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@ -84,10 +84,11 @@ breaks is the release schedule of the software. Assuming that someone (whether
you or not) *does* fix the issue, how long are you going to wait to get the you or not) *does* fix the issue, how long are you going to wait to get the
patch? Is this months? Weeks? patch? Is this months? Weeks?
A major red flag for software remaining unfixed is how homogeneous its Having a large amount of functionality maintained by one group can be
development workflow is: is it one giant repository where everything goes into troublesome. Is it one giant repository where everything goes into a black hole
a black hole unless you work there? Which organization owns the majority of the unless you work there? Which organization owns the majority of the
functionality you rely on? Are teams autonomous? functionality you rely on? Are teams autonomous? How much power does a single
entity hold?
Thinking back on why I switched back to Neovim exclusively as an editor, one Thinking back on why I switched back to Neovim exclusively as an editor, one
major reason is the amount of the functionality that is in plugins instead of major reason is the amount of the functionality that is in plugins instead of
@ -117,21 +118,22 @@ they do.
Consider the case study of Microsoft Visual Studio Code, which is free. How are Consider the case study of Microsoft Visual Studio Code, which is free. How are
they extracting money? God knows, but they sure are eating market share and they extracting money? God knows, but they sure are eating market share and
gaining themselves a tremendous position of power in the market by doing so. gaining themselves a tremendous position of power in the market by doing so,
From the very beginning, it was released as a closed source distribution of an which could be easily leveraged to do anticompetitive behaviour, advantaging
open source tool, and various *very important* pieces depend on closed source their other products. From the very beginning, it was released as a closed
code, so that Microsoft retains full control. For example, the remote source distribution of an open source tool, and various *very important* pieces
extension, an increasing number of language servers, the *extension store*, all depend on closed source code, so that Microsoft retains full control. For
are closed source components under EULA. example, the remote extension, an increasing number of language servers, the
*extension store*, all are closed source components under EULA.
As another example, Microsoft Bing tells you to not install Chrome when you As another example, Microsoft Bing tells you to not install Chrome when you use
google "Chrome" in the Bing search box. Then, Microsoft Edge [*injects Bing to google "Chrome". Then, Microsoft Edge [*injects pop-ups*][edge-popups]
pop-ups*][edge-popups] into Google's webpage for downloading Chrome. Then they into Google's webpage for downloading Chrome. Then they do it again when you
do it again when you try to change default browser in the settings app. This is try to change default browser in the settings app. This is so obviously
so obviously anticompetitive that it *should* have every country suing them for anticompetitive that it *should* have every country suing them for billions for
billions for the exact same reason they [got sued for billions for doing *less* the exact same reason they [got sued for billions for doing *less* to
to IE][us-v-microsoft], but apparently we do not live in a world where laws IE][us-v-microsoft], but apparently we do not live in a world where laws apply
apply to corporations anymore. to corporations anymore.
[us-v-microsoft]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft_Corp. [us-v-microsoft]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft_Corp.
[edge-popups]: https://www.extremetech.com/internet/329450-microsoft-edge-gets-new-anti-chrome-pop-ups [edge-popups]: https://www.extremetech.com/internet/329450-microsoft-edge-gets-new-anti-chrome-pop-ups
@ -187,8 +189,9 @@ community. For example:
* Does the project have a Benevolent Dictator for Life? * Does the project have a Benevolent Dictator for Life?
* How do they behave? * How do they behave?
* Do the rules apply to thee but not to me? * Do the rules apply to thee but not to me?
* If you disagree with them, what happens? Does the *project* hold special * If you disagree with them, what happens?
power, such as access to special APIs restricted to their GitHub org? * Does the *project* hold special power, such as access to special APIs
restricted to packages under their GitHub org?
* Does the community accept bigots or convicted rapists in open arms? * Does the community accept bigots or convicted rapists in open arms?
* Does the project have a code of conduct? Is it enforced? * Does the project have a code of conduct? Is it enforced?
* Are you going to be called a fucking idiot for using the wrong words to * Are you going to be called a fucking idiot for using the wrong words to
@ -205,7 +208,7 @@ is that going to be? A *big* reason that VSCode is so troublesome to use as
someone who wants working software is that it is aggressively not forkable: you someone who wants working software is that it is aggressively not forkable: you
have to get stuff merged for it to get into the closed source distribution, have to get stuff merged for it to get into the closed source distribution,
they are bad about merging things, and it moves pretty fast while being this they are bad about merging things, and it moves pretty fast while being this
massive thing. massive blob of things that aren't extensible.
In spite of being a card-carrying anti-FSF person, I very much care about In spite of being a card-carrying anti-FSF person, I very much care about
so-called "software freedom": I care that I can fix my own software. For so-called "software freedom": I care that I can fix my own software. For
@ -233,8 +236,14 @@ implemented upstream.
We spend a huge amount of our lives using software, and there are a *lot* of We spend a huge amount of our lives using software, and there are a *lot* of
factors that can make the difference between being under the thumb of software factors that can make the difference between being under the thumb of software
and software being a force of good in our lives. I have been thinking about a and software being a force of good in our lives. I have been thinking about a
lot of these things subconsciously for years, and it's become clear that these lot of these things subconsciously for years and picking projects based on the
are actually *values* that I care about, not just software things. right vibes, and it's become clear that these are actually *values* that I care
about, not just software things.
Resiliency is important, and it is especially so in things that we need to use
to do our jobs and live our lives.
I hope that you too can get to a place where the Computer generally works and I hope that you too can get to a place where the Computer generally works and
is a positive influence on your life. is a positive influence on your life.
🏴