The Cathedral, the Megachurch, and the Bazaar
2 months ago
- #software-development
- #community
- #open-source
- The essay 'The Cathedral and the Bazaar' contrasted old open-source (cathedral) with new open-source (bazaar), but modern open-source has evolved into 'megachurches' like Linux, Python, and Node.js.
- Megachurch open-source projects are well-structured organizations with strict contribution rules, often supported by large companies and foundations.
- The bazaar still exists, representing most open-source projects—small, chaotic, and often maintained by single individuals without strict governance.
- Modern infrastructure relies heavily on the bazaar, but funding and sustainability for these small projects remain challenges.
- Initiatives like the Sovereign Tech Agency are exploring ways to fund open-source without strings attached, while policy suggestions aim for long-term solutions.
- Readers are encouraged to explore and support small open-source projects, understanding their role in the broader ecosystem.