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I ran into that one last year when I tried to locate an extension, and didn't rule out buying it, but I ruled out using it because it didn't seem open source. I

I ran into that one last year when I tried to locate an extension, and didn't rule out buying it, but I ruled out using it because it didn't seem open source. I get that devs need to get rewarded for their time and so forth. But in this day and age where popular extensions get purchased and repurposed as spyware, I'm not keen on installing anything closed source that messes around with my browser. And it's a red flag, for me, that an extension developer doing something that revolves around privacy isn't like minded. (Plus, as you said yourself, it looks sketchy for some reason.)

rolleiflex 8y ago
I do understand this mindset (and I'm running a privacy-oriented open source app: https://getaether.net https://getaether.net, so speaking from personal experience), however, not everything can be open source, and not everything can be free. There is a place for proprietary software, and the more we deny that, the more creators of those open source software join Googles and Facebooks of the world and make them even more invincible. The blanket 'not open source, so I won't use it' general sentiment (not implying you have this) I see on HN nowadays doesn't hurt Google, it hurts small software makers that don't have the luxury and money to make things 'free*' with five asterisks like FAANG, like you and me, and actually strengthens the larger companies. The trust issue is a legit one, though. I have the same concerns on that one. However, if I could fully trust it, I would have no problem with it being not open source.