Being an open-source developer was his biggest career mistake

https://twitter.com/balupton/status/1605238765156728833

by jenny89 • 4 years ago

11 3 4 years ago

distcs• 4 years ago

I find it strange that individual persons still think of getting into open source as a profession. If the motive is to share something you built with others with no expectations (except attribution, maybe some bug fixes, a user community) in return, then by all means you should get into open source. But what rational person would think that working on open source full-time is a sustainable way to make a living.

Imagine a doctor who only does pro-bono consultation. Would they be able to make a living?

iforgotpassword• 4 years ago

Maybe like musicians, hope you're the one in a million that makes it? As a library author this is really hard. If you develop a user-facing app, with enough hints and messages that you need financial support and according links to GitHub sponsors and Patreon, it might work ok.

ngc6677• 4 years ago

Agreed. Most interviewers (even technical peers) have never bothered look at my open source projects and contributions. What really worked, sadly, is the usual sauce keywords you serve (previous known employers/clients, technologies "you know" and how many years of experience you have), "the technical test" you give them back, and "closed source products" that you've worked on and are still online.

Being an open-source developer was his biggest career mistake

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