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Winamp deletes entire GitHub source code repo after a rocky few weeks

(arstechnica.com)
431 points dangle1 | 1 comments | 16 Oct 24 16:34 UTC | HN request time: 0.297s | source
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arp242 ◴[16 Oct 24 18:09 UTC] No.41861943[source]▶
The trolling was ridiculous. I don't blame them.

It was pretty clear that with "fork" they meant "don't create a WinAmp-ng fork" and not a "fork" in the "send a patch" GitHub sense. It's fine to point out "hey, I think your custom written license may need a bit of work!", but the amount of vitriol and hate over it (including on HN) was just ridiculous.

It was one of those moments I was embarrassed to be posting here.

And yes, they could have done better, sure. But instead of bringing in someone in the community you just chased them away. Well done everyone. Good job. Excellent result. A story to tell the grandchildren.

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1. renewiltord ◴[16 Oct 24 19:07 UTC] No.41862655[source]▶
There are some people you cannot help. They subscribe strongly to the Copenhagen Interpretation of Ethics. A few classic examples are:

- YC attempting to choose one startup to fund based on HN votes

- Winamp trying to open-source their code

- Jordan Henderson supporting the LGBTQ community

- Ellen Degeneres's sponsors offering to donate to a charity per question answered by her guests

- PETA offering to donate money for each person who chooses veganism

- Numerous open-source developers who give their things for free

It's important to know who your audience is. If they require unwavering purity, it's often better for your own sake to not engage with them. For my part, I stay clear of all these groups in a charitable sense. Everyone pays. The relationship is obvious. They'll go after the people who give them stuff for free. But for the ones who charge them it's just a transaction. That is good.