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GitHub has a networking effect with other open source projects, same as Facebook or Google. When Google decides you're not gonna show up in the search results,
by zaarn 9y ago
GitHub has a networking effect with other open source projects, same as Facebook or Google.
When Google decides you're not gonna show up in the search results, as much as 90% of your traffic could be gone. A business can (and have) go belly up for not showing up in page 1 of the search results.
IMO if a service crosses a certain threshold of networking and marketshare they should be regarded as a public utility rather than a private business. The other option is to give such corporations an incredibly amount of power over what the population thinks, sees or, in github's case, codes.
- ekianjo 9y agoNobody is forcing you to use such services no matter how large their market share is. This is not the same as public utility where there is only one choice.
- zaarn 9y agoNobody is forcing you to use water from the faucet, the river is just outside town. Nobody is forcing you to use the electric grid, generator + gasoline is an option. Etc. Even for public utility you have a choice. It's not a good choice, which is what matters. Facebook and Google have definitely reached a state where not being part of their business (by being on Page 1 of the Results or having a Facebook Page) will actively harm your business. If either denies you service they also deny a lot of customers access to your service just like you'd get people denied service to a business when that business isn't connected to the power grid. And if you think that isn't true I urge you to talk to a PR department of a bigger corporation or a startup. Placement on Google and Facebook is very very important.