Open Source Activism

Why Online Collaboration Should be Free

12/8/20241 min read

white concrete building during daytime
white concrete building during daytime

In the early internet, all knowledge was free of monetization. We’ve seen products that over-monetize and hold your information hostage, which is counter to innovation.

“What if we could get everyone in the world together to record what they know in one place?” — Jimmy Wales

Open source projects thrive on effort from the collective, and information should be available to everyone. Here’s why open source projects have a secure advantage:

The transparency inherent in open source projects also enhances security. With the source code available for public scrutiny, a large community of developers can identify and address vulnerabilities more quickly than in closed-source projects.

This continuous peer review process ensures that security flaws are promptly fixed, making open source software robust and reliable. Additionally, the open nature of these projects encourages the implementation of best practices in security, as contributors are motivated to maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of the software they help create.

Oftentimes, open source projects employ rigorous security practices to ensure the integrity of their code. Regular code reviews, automated security testing, and strict access controls help identify and mitigate vulnerabilities quickly.

By adhering to secure coding standards and maintaining up-to-date dependencies, open source communities create robust and reliable software that benefits from continuous peer review and collective expertise.