Welcome to the Eternal September of open source. Here’s what we plan to do for maintainers.
Summary
The GitHub Blog discusses the challenges of managing increased contributions in open source, likening it to an Eternal September. The authors emphasize the need for better tools and systems to maintain trust and quality while welcoming new contributors.
Key Insights
What is the 'Eternal September' referenced in the article?
Eternal September refers to the ongoing influx of inexperienced new users into online communities, originating from 1993 when AOL provided Usenet access to millions, creating a perpetual 'September' of newcomers who disrupted established norms, unlike the temporary annual surge of university students.
How does 'Eternal September' apply to modern open source projects?
In open source, Eternal September describes the continuous flood of new contributors due to platforms like GitHub, challenging maintainers to manage increased contributions while upholding trust, quality, and community standards amid newcomers unfamiliar with project norms.
Sources:
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