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Important open source projects should not use GitHub (2020)

(unixdigest.com)
68 points bitbasher | 1 comments | 15 Apr 25 02:18 UTC | HN request time: 0.2s | source
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vanschelven ◴[15 Apr 25 09:14 UTC] No.43690615[source]▶
I think the reasons mentioned in the article are to be taken seriously (unlike some of the other commenters here). Historically, Microsoft has shown itself as "not an ally to Open Source" to put it mildly. And there is a real tie-in to Github-the-platform (issues, workflows, etc) despite the fact that git repos themselves can be migrated away trivially (by design).

Having said that, the alternatives they mention aren't realistic. Precisely those things that make GitHub dangerous, are the things that make it worth choosing. In particular: network effects, issue tracking and PRs.

replies(1): >>43713706 #
1. goku12 ◴[17 Apr 25 06:29 UTC] No.43713706[source]▶
Issue tracking and PRs have good alternatives. Some dedicated solutions are frankly a lot better than GH - if only people didn't dislike discrete solutions.

On the other hand, network effects is a big problem - especially for open source projects. There isn't a good way to find projects that are scattered over thousands of small git hosts. There should be a project listing and search service (like freshmeat), but for hosted projects.