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Since widely-publicized OSS work can be a prerequisite for top jobs, it often isn't really a "free choice." But if it is a choice, then it's a choice that unde

Since widely-publicized OSS work can be a prerequisite for top jobs, it often isn't really a "free choice." But if it is a choice, then it's a choice that undermines fellow workers. By working for free, you're taking away jobs from people who might genuinely need them and be unable to work for free. In this way, OSS work can serve to entrench inequality by giving a hiring advantage to those with more time and resources, while reducing the salaried jobs available for others in the industry.

abnry 5y ago
Is there really a shortage of tech jobs caused by open source projects?
- paulryanrogers 5y ago
  I've wondered this for a long time. Or if it had a depressing effect on wages. FOSS certainly helps with productivity. Though I believe it's very likely also depressing wages and reducing the volume of software jobs.
- sangnoir 5y ago
  I have no evidence at all, but I think open source projects create more jobs than it "destroyed" because it reduces the cost of doing businesses of tech startups at critical growth phases and makes them viable by allowing fewer employees to do more. Without open source, companies would employ more people per company, but have much fewer companies overall, IMO. Additionally, salaries would be much lower because skills wouldn't be easily transferable between jobs - hence lower competition for employees.
senko 5y ago
> Since widely-publicized OSS work can be a prerequisite for top jobs, it often isn't really a "free choice." Which top jobs require you to be a widely-publicized OSS author? I've only ever heard this to be a plus (which I believe is fair), not a requirement.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- smarterclayton 5y ago
  It’s not a requirement at Red Hat, because anyone can be converted to the open source religion. This surprised me when I started - I thought I would need to be indoctrinated, but then it just became normal to see open source as the only way to work. That said, RH hires key contributors all the time (as do many companies), so being the maintainer of a project is definitely a plus.
golergka 5y ago
You don't have any obligation to pursue a top job, nor it is necessary for your survival.
lupire 5y ago
Lucky for you, top jobs hire by standard whiteboard quizzes.

abnry 5y ago

Is there really a shortage of tech jobs caused by open source projects?

paulryanrogers 5y ago
I've wondered this for a long time. Or if it had a depressing effect on wages. FOSS certainly helps with productivity. Though I believe it's very likely also depressing wages and reducing the volume of software jobs.
sangnoir 5y ago
I have no evidence at all, but I think open source projects create more jobs than it "destroyed" because it reduces the cost of doing businesses of tech startups at critical growth phases and makes them viable by allowing fewer employees to do more. Without open source, companies would employ more people per company, but have much fewer companies overall, IMO. Additionally, salaries would be much lower because skills wouldn't be easily transferable between jobs - hence lower competition for employees.

senko 5y ago

> Since widely-publicized OSS work can be a prerequisite for top jobs, it often isn't really a "free choice." Which top jobs require you to be a widely-publicized OSS author? I've only ever heard this to be a plus (which I believe is fair), not a requirement.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
smarterclayton 5y ago
It’s not a requirement at Red Hat, because anyone can be converted to the open source religion. This surprised me when I started - I thought I would need to be indoctrinated, but then it just became normal to see open source as the only way to work. That said, RH hires key contributors all the time (as do many companies), so being the maintainer of a project is definitely a plus.

golergka 5y ago

You don't have any obligation to pursue a top job, nor it is necessary for your survival.

lupire 5y ago

Lucky for you, top jobs hire by standard whiteboard quizzes.