Working in Public: The Making and Maintenance of Open Source Software
by Nadia Eghbal · 2020
In a nutshell
An examination of modern open source software development by Nadia Eghbal that explores how the dynamics of open source have evolved over the past two decades. Drawing on hundreds of developer interviews and platform analyses, the book reveals insights applicable to all individual creators on the internet.
Overview
Working in Public examines modern open source software development, its evolution over the last two decades, and its ramifications for an internet reorienting itself around individual creators. Published by Stripe Press, the book challenges common perceptions about how open source works today.
Evolution of Open Source
Open source software has long served as a bellwether for other online behavior. In the late 1990s, it provided an optimistic model for public collaboration. However, in the last 20 years, it has shifted dramatically toward solo operators who write and publish code that's consumed by millions.
Key Insights
The book argues that examining who produces things on the internet, and not just what they produce, helps us understand the value of online content today. This perspective applies far beyond software to all forms of digital creation.
Research Foundation
Nadia Eghbal draws on:
- Hundreds of in-depth developer interviews
- Analyses of platforms like GitHub, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, and YouTube
- Years of research and work in the open source ecosystem
- Firsthand experience at GitHub working to improve the developer experience
About the Author
Nadia Eghbal (also known as Nadia Asparouhova) is a writer and researcher who explores how the internet enables individual creators. From 2015 to 2019, she focused on the production of open source software, working independently and at GitHub to improve the open source developer experience.
Why It Matters for Founders
While focused on open source, the book offers critical insights for startup founders about:
- Building and maintaining communities
- Managing contributor dynamics
- Understanding creator economics
- Scaling individual efforts
- Platform dynamics and their effects on creators
Broader Applications
The patterns identified in open source development apply to:
- Content creation and the creator economy
- Community-driven products
- Platform businesses
- Any internet-based collaborative work
Key Themes
- The shift from collaborative to individual creation
- How platforms shape creative work
- The economics of free labor and voluntary contribution
- Sustainability challenges for popular projects
- The relationship between creators and consumers
Target Audience
Essential reading for:
- Software developers and open source maintainers
- Startup founders building developer tools or platforms
- Product managers working with developer communities
- Anyone interested in the creator economy
- Researchers studying online collaboration
Availability
Published by Stripe Press. Available in hardcover and ebook formats through major retailers. ISBN: 9780578675862.
Reference
Working in Public: The Making and Maintenance of Open Source Software — publisher / official page. Summary adapted from the Awesome Startup Books collection.
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