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Why we never thank open source maintainers

windsooon.github.io

121–130 of 229 posts

Re: Why we never thank open source maintainers

#121
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some different perspective. Example Debian with plenty of poorly maintained packets which broke original behavior (say linked against another library which is not recommended by upstream) or disable some features or outdated (not in sense of stable/unstable). Sending DD messages 'please fix, thanks' looks like is very reasonable (although some of them do not think so). Either your maintainer or not - even say one can…

Reporting the bug is reasonable. Bugging (no pun intended) them is not. even say one can do it 'better' Then offer to take up the maintainer role. Debian has institutions to deal with unresponsive maintainers.

Clearly this is evidence that those institutions are in need of improvement, no? Perhaps too few people know about them, for starters.

Re: Why we never thank open source maintainers

#122
As an author of dozens of open-source projects, I was really surprised how entitled / rude people can be. I was even told f-word just because I used babel for compiling JS. I was like WTF. Some people act as if they are my paying customers when I get zero compensation from my open source projects. I just share my work because I think they can be useful for some. I don't have any obligations to solve their problems.

Re: Why we never thank open source maintainers

#123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Honestly, being thanked in any shape or form does nothing for me So a genuine "hi there, thanks for all your work, I've been using your lib for months and its awesome" is an annoyance to you? You must be fun at parties.

It's like you didn't even care what parent said, just picked a part out of context, built a straw man, and commented on it.

Not the person you replied to, but you’re making a specious argument. This is (a partial quote of) what was said at the start of the thread:

> Honestly, being thanked in any shape or form does nothing for me, Id rather have users be more considerate of our time and not abuse issues and the community for supporting their laziness.

You’re warping the argument by calling the response a straw man. I agreed with GP on feeling annoyed by thanks that are actually feature requests, but they went on to say that all thanks was unwelcome. Nothing was taken out of context.

Re: Why we never thank open source maintainers

#124
post #122

As an author of dozens of open-source projects, I was really surprised how entitled / rude people can be. I was even told f-word just because I used babel for compiling JS. I was like WTF. Some people act as if they are my paying customers when I get zero compensation from my open source projects. I just share my work because I think they can be useful for some. I don't have any obligations to solve their problems.

yes, the sense of entitlement of some people is very surprising.

Re: Why we never thank open source maintainers

#125
post #16

As the maintainer of a reasonably popular library, I actually get irritated by a lot of 'thanks', because they are in the form of this sentence: 'Hi, can you implement ? Thanks!' Usually from people who have never contributed anything. Honestly, being thanked in any shape or form does nothing for me, Id rather have users be more considerate of our time and not abuse issues and the community for supporting their lazin…

Send them quotes back: "I'm glad you liked it, I have X hours to dedicate to project Y this month. If you'd like, I'm willing to work on that feature for you under terms Z". People _pay_. You'd be surprised just how much of Chromium and other open ssource projects is written by consulting companies paid by third parties to solve a use case.

I usually put up a milestone date and direct them to that date, quite a few times have to push that date to work on stuff that pays my bills.

The best ones who pay are those who directly reach out with a paid offer; which shows that they definitely have explored the market (most likely than not) and you are the best option :). The better than the best and great to work with clients are those who just reach out to you directly, only very rarely would happen!!!

Re: Why we never thank open source maintainers

#126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Honestly, being thanked in any shape or form does nothing for me So a genuine "hi there, thanks for all your work, I've been using your lib for months and its awesome" is an annoyance to you? You must be fun at parties.

It's like you didn't even care what parent said, just picked a part out of context, built a straw man, and commented on it.

No, the parent comment said any form which includes the type of thanks where someone is sincerely grateful. It’s not out of context, the person doesn’t like people to display their appreciation for his work.

Re: Why we never thank open source maintainers

#127
post #122

As an author of dozens of open-source projects, I was really surprised how entitled / rude people can be. I was even told f-word just because I used babel for compiling JS. I was like WTF. Some people act as if they are my paying customers when I get zero compensation from my open source projects. I just share my work because I think they can be useful for some. I don't have any obligations to solve their problems.

yes, the sense of entitlement of some people is very surprising.

"If you give a mouse a cookie, the mouse will ask for a glass of milk"

Re: Why we never thank open source maintainers

#129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

yes, the sense of entitlement of some people is very surprising.

"If you give a mouse a cookie, the mouse will ask for a glass of milk"

That's a fun expression, first time I hear it! In Polish, you would say "you give a finger, and they'll take the whole hand".
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