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GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

adainitiative.org

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Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#41

Post by mindcrime »

All in all, I think (well, hope) this is a Good Thing. To the extent that (some?) women face different (or more severe) problems in getting started in programming and contributing to F/OSS projects, if this helps ease that process, then it's a win for the world.

Now, I can understand some of the reactions, from both men and women. On the one hand, I can see why guys might say "isn't this just a different form of sexism?" and I can see how even some women might be offended (the same kind of women who freak out if a man holds a door open for them, probably). But despite all that, this has a chance to get more people involved in, and contributing to, the F/OSS world. For that, I think we can accept a small measure of "reverse sexism", given the context, and I think the radfem types can like it or leave it, while their female peers are busy writing code.

Yeah, it would be nice to live in a world which is more or less totally gender-blind, but we're not there yet and this move may at least help level the playing field a little bit.

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#43

Post by bobsicle »

I'm a paying github user, and I love github but I can't believe github allowed this. Firstly they are not helping open source if the code is private and secondly it should be for everyone. We hear a lot of people women nowadays complain about inequality and shit, if they are honest they should know this is utterly wrong and should do something to change it, else it's a bit hypocritical. no?

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#44

Post by blocking_io »

seivan wrote: post #37

What about LGBTQ, what about transgendered? Does this only apply to cis-females? So if this is a demographic Github wants to see an increase in, does this mean they don't care enough about others?

Your concern trolling would be much more effective if you read the linked article.

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#45

Post by reinhardt »

dsyph3r wrote: post #40
sergiotapia wrote: post #2

Or you know, use BitBucket that offers free private repositories for everyone and anyone.

I think you're missing the point.

Since "the point" is a PR stunt for a "problem" that has at least one other solution, I don't blame him.

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#47

Post by michh »

archon wrote: post #32
Voidkom wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Females as a noun is used to refer to lower animals, I believe you mean women.

I referred to myself as male, not as a man, in the same way I referred to females rather than women. It's pretty obvious I wasn't using it in a demeaning way, unless I was also demeaning myself.

It's not as commonly used to demean men, so that's not an excuse. Besides, you're not a Ferengi. Stop talking like you are.

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#48

Post by Pewpewarrows »

raganwald wrote: post #35
woah wrote: post #15

IANAW, but this almost seems sexist in and of itself. Is Github shielding the delicate female programmers from the merciless wrath of internet trolls? I guess the assumption is that big strong male programmers don't need this kind of coddling.

HN often takes the collective position that businesses should be able to discriminate as they see fit, to do business with whom they see fit, and to set prices (e.g. other threads about "price gouging") as they see fit. Perhaps Github is merely a business doing as they see fit?

There's a difference between HN believing that businesses should legally be allowed to do all of the above, and HN believing that it's socially / morally wrong to do any of the above.

(Note that this is merely a reply to your comment in a vacuum, and shouldn't be construed as me supporting either "side" in this thread.)

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#49

Post by bdg »

Voidkom wrote: post #26
archon wrote: post #5

> This reluctance has good reasons behind it: fear of being told they are bad programmers, fear of being publicly mocked or harassed, and even fear of losing job opportunities. All of these are greater risks for women on average than men. [Citation needed] Edit, to expand on the kneejerk reaction: I find it difficult to accept the premise that this is a female-only problem. I've been reluctant to post my code before…

Females as a noun is used to refer to lower animals, I believe you mean women.

Source?

Right now that's just reading like a baseless claim and it sounds ridiculous to me that "females" is derogatory. I've never heard of such a claim before in my entire life.

Re: GitHub donates private repositories to women learning open source software

#50

Post by pifflesnort »

jcoder wrote: post #10

I can't believe the whining comments here so far. GitHub can contribute to any organization it wants to.

People are also free to criticize Github for any reason they want to.

Personally, I think the Ada Initiative is doing far more harm than good. They're pushing a strange brand of coddling and gender privilege.

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