Contributing to Open-Source Should Be Required, Like Jury Duty
Contributing to Open-Source Should be Required, Like Jury DutyA note I found in my journal, from seven years ago, on the day I was summoned to participate in a jury of my peers: I have to go to jury duty as a member of this democracy. what if I had a summons to contribute to open source software because I use FOOS? I was so happy to go spend a day exercising my membership in this hallmark of democracy: a participation requirement in return for the benefits I enjoy under due process of the law. Ultimately, I was dismissed because of my connection with the law (several friends and family members practice law). But it got me dreaming of a world where software developers, having enjoyed the benefits of open-source software and libraries and tools, having built their fortunes on the shared…
