Is it though? Like who was promised anything for doing open source software development. It's like volunteering at the soup kitchen. Yeah you're not going to get paid and people are going to eat and leave. That's kind of the point.
Personally, I open-source my random crap because it's possible that someone else had a similar problem and would appreciate a pre-made solution. I have been on the receiving end of that many times, and paying it forward is the least I can do.
People are getting harassed a lot for not supporting their software as others think they should. Look at the xz guy, he basically quit because he couldn't take it anymore.
Yes, they are indeed benefitting from this, but so is everyone else that uses the software if you're going by textbook definition.
Is it though? Like who was promised anything for doing open source software development. It's like volunteering at the soup kitchen. Yeah you're not going to get paid and people are going to eat and leave. That's kind of the point.
Some people do it for resume points.
Personally, I open-source my random crap because it's possible that someone else had a similar problem and would appreciate a pre-made solution. I have been on the receiving end of that many times, and paying it forward is the least I can do.
I open source everything I make whether it's useful to anyone or not just for the sake of it, I document it for CV points
No one held a gun to their heads and made them write the software nor give it away for free.
Well...
People are getting harassed a lot for not supporting their software as others think they should. Look at the xz guy, he basically quit because he couldn't take it anymore.
It's emotional extortion, not a physical gun.
Some people’s sense of entitlement is bottomless, despite not being owed a damn thing. They are very silly, and oblivious to it.
I just tell them, what do you want for nothing, your money back?