I read a pre-print of this book and I can't recommend it highly enough. Nadia has spent more time than almost anyone thinking about open source software and how it gets maintained. You couldn't hope for a better guide through the topic than the author of "Roads and Bridges: The Unseen Labor Behind Our Digital Infrastructure" [1], the report that changed the whole conversation on open source funding. On top of that, the quality and design of the book is top-notch. Stripe Press did an amazing job -- it's totally gorgeous.
I am only about 30 pages into my copy. I think this book has a strong potential to move the discussion on how and why open source works forward and the analysis thus far reflects many of my personal anecdotes as an OSS developer beginning my career in the Kernel and moving to GitHub style projects.
So far I think this book does an excellent job:
- Summarizing why the popular analysis of “OSS developers feel overwhelmed because they need more maintainers helping”. Spoiler: it is unlikely that more maintainers or even money is really what most developers need.
- Why the values and interests of the GitHub generation of OSS development is different than the Linux Kernel or FSF eras that proceeded it.
- A brief introduction to the personalities and movements that have formed OSS development so far.
I guess it's good for distribution. I live in Australia and I'm more inclined to purchase these books since I get free international shipping via Prime.
But being the _only_ distribution channel? Probably not the best!
It's not even available on the international Amazon websites. If you want the physical book, the only option seems to be to pay the extra shipping costs and import taxes to get it shipped from the US. Hopefully this is just temporary.
Seems to be available on the Australian site (albeit shipped from the US). I usually just find something else to buy to reach the $49 free shipping threshold.
This is still the case for many of the stripe press books I would like to purchase. Not available in Canada so looking at very expensive shipping and import duties.
Surely you mean that if it were not on Amazon, then you would have written it off. The subjunctive mood is important when considering counterfactual possibilities.
It is highly recommended ！ As a non developer/engineer , Nadia has a very different view for open source. Just like her last paper "Roads and Bridges: The Unseen Labor Behind Our Digital Infrastructure"[0], "Working in Public" is great work again.
[1] https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/learning/research-report...