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So what’s next (personal news from developer of popular CoreJS polyfill)

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Re: So what’s next (personal news from developer of popular CoreJS polyfill)

#11

Post by imiric »

If you're working for a company that relies on OSS, please suggest establishing an OSS fund to specifically support projects like core-js. Have the company pledge some percentage of profits, where employees decide how the funds get appropriated. E.g. by popularity, relevance, love, or whatever other criteria feels right. Think of the Humble Bundle sliders, for example.

It's heart breaking to know that the world's largest companies are using software whose author is struggling financially. That xkcd is 100% right, but this situation is far from amusing.

Re: So what’s next (personal news from developer of popular CoreJS polyfill)

#12

Post by Karupan »

Sounds like it’s time for him to move on. I’m sure it’s incredibly difficult to give up on a passion project which is also very popular, but he doesn’t sound happy and in a good mental space. Besides, I highly doubt that companies will suddenly start supporting open source devs.

A break and a paid job might be what he needs to reboot mentally. Hope he gets through this tough time!

Re: So what’s next (personal news from developer of popular CoreJS polyfill)

#13

Post by Dalewyn »

I wrote this sentiment earlier[1], but I'll repeat it here.

If a dev wants money for his work, he should license his work as appropriate and demand payments. If a dev releases his work free-as-in-libre and/or free-as-in-beer, they don't get to complain if the donations are "insufficient".

Or to put it another: Of course a company won't pay up if they don't have to.

This guy seems to be considering making his work into a commercial product, so at least he has the correct idea. Speaking objectively I hope it works out for him.

[1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34759316

Re: So what’s next (personal news from developer of popular CoreJS polyfill)

#15

Post by maherbeg »

He should 100% try to find regular sustainable work somewhere instead of working on this project.

Secondarily, find a lawyer to write up a contract for $80/hr for companies to sign and have him do work on core-js when they need an update or a feature. He can give an estimate on hours, send them a contract, get it signed and have the work done. If the people asking for feature requests and updates don't want to pay, then that's fine, it doesn't need to get done.

Re: So what’s next (personal news from developer of popular CoreJS polyfill)

#16

Post by phpnode »

It's definitely time for him to let this project go, working on it is a literally thankless task and the level of entitlement shown towards his work has been infuriating to watch. The outrage towards him daring to ask the community for help, something done in an act of desperation, is a real wake up call for open source maintainers - the community doesn't give a fuck about you, they want your code and they want it free.

The psychological burden of carrying such an important but relatively unknown project has trapped him in this state of desperation for years now. It's tunnel vision and sunk loss thinking, time to quit.

Re: So what’s next (personal news from developer of popular CoreJS polyfill)

#18

Post by zztop44 »

Dalewyn wrote: post #13

I wrote this sentiment earlier[1], but I'll repeat it here. If a dev wants money for his work, he should license his work as appropriate and demand payments. If a dev releases his work free-as-in-libre and/or free-as-in-beer, they don't get to complain if the donations are "insufficient". Or to put it another: Of course a company won't pay up if they don't have to. This guy seems to be considering making his work int…

And to echo the top reply to your original comment, nope you don’t get to decide to for everyone.

I personally think that releasing free software and then complaining that the multibillionaire (trillionaire?) companies that rely on it refuse to fund you even after you’ve expressly asked for it is perfectly justified.

Re: So what’s next (personal news from developer of popular CoreJS polyfill)

#19

Post by joshxyz »

Imo zloirock should work for himself and get rid of the core-js project (or make it least of his priorities). It's a liability to him at this point, just making himself look like a fool desperate for handouts.

His freedom is on the line and not one company seems to care.

If the open source community turns its back at you, turn your back at them.

Re: So what’s next (personal news from developer of popular CoreJS polyfill)

#20

Post by phpnode »

maherbeg wrote: post #15

He should 100% try to find regular sustainable work somewhere instead of working on this project. Secondarily, find a lawyer to write up a contract for $80/hr for companies to sign and have him do work on core-js when they need an update or a feature. He can give an estimate on hours, send them a contract, get it signed and have the work done. If the people asking for feature requests and updates don't want to pay, t…

he's in Russia, isn't this sanctioned?
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