This is a bit depressing.
https://www.nerdmeritbadges.com/products/octocat
This underlying problem needs to become a priority. Either pressuring #github to go free software or getting free software to go elsewhere.
Github becoming synonymous with open source just muddies free software waters more.
Free Software needs free tools.
@satchmoz In the long term people will cry in disappointment when the company eventually tanks or gets bought and corrupted. But something else will replace it. Alternatives will be able to step in at the right moment.
Meanwhile, grown-up open source projects which have existed much longer mostly still run their own infrastructure, so it's _not_ going to brielfy take out absolutely everything.
@satchmoz BTW I am always amused when a new project arrives at the Apache Software Foundation and demands that their primary repository will be on Github and the ASF tells them "No, that would be incredibly short-sighted; you can only have a mirror there". This discussion repeats roughly every 6 months...
@stsp I donβt see what is βincredibly short-sightedβ. It is inexpensive, reliable, and effective, no? What is the thing that these naΓ―ve people donβt get? If this is so obvious and these arguments are made so often, feel free to point me to some blog somewhere. Iβll read.
@paco The point is to stay independent. ASF projects do not host critical services outside of ASF infrastructure. This way the ASF can ensure long-term stability.
This is not specific to github and it applies to any critical services (of which version control is just one).
@deejoe @stsp i look at that list and cannot identify the harm those practices avoid. I think βpick your battlesβ. Itβs hard enough to produce free software. Donβt fight desktop OS battles, web browser battles, web browser plugin battles, UX battles and every other battle while trying to bring your free software to the people. Lose some battles in a few places, overall make progress towards the end goal.
@paco
It is hard. It's especially hard given the headlong rush to introduce dependencies on software into every facet of our lives. I'm generally inclined to see entreaties like yours about priorities benignly: I'm a glass half-full kind of guy most of the time. On the other hand, I'm reminded of the caution about getting someone to understand a thing when their job depends on them not understanding it.
@stsp