Devconf.US

Why Open Source and Web3 need to find (back) together
2024-08-16 , Metcalf Small Ballroom (capacity 100)

Free Software started out as movement to empower the downstream user and give end-users a way to be in control of their own technology. But with the rebranding to Open Source and the commercial success, this aspect has taken backseat to corporate interests. In addition, Cloudification has driven a general trend to centralization that has not spared Open Source. At the same time, a rift has appeared between very much Open Source-based decentralization movements - namely Fediverse and Web2 - and the mainstream Free and Open Source Software development. Some of this rift is a reflection of different technology philosophies, some of a broader cultural rift.This has practical consequences for Free and Open Source Software development and its growing dependency on proprietary centralized services as well as its ability to support the original goal of technological self-sovereignty.

See also: Slides (96.9 KB)

Long-time Open Source Technologist.