3 ms·
A lot of times the open-source software is used "unofficially", where IT/security turns a blind eye to it as long as it doesn't openly violate policies. And of
by nerdponx 2y ago
A lot of times the open-source software is used "unofficially", where IT/security turns a blind eye to it as long as it doesn't openly violate policies.
And often the developer is not offering a support contract. They might even take umbrage at the idea of being bribed to make changes!
A lot of open-source software usage in the workplace is the equivalent of bringing your own tools to a worksite, or bringing your own knife set to the kitchen. I obviously can't see the project's finances, but funding for tools like iTerm 2 can be heavily dependent on individual users acting as patrons, making monthly donations purely out of gratitude for bringing them joy and/or improving their personal work productivity.
- fipar 2y agoAll of what you said is true, but I just want to add a note that I mentioned a support contract with open source developers, not necessarily the authors of the open source software in question. It's like when a company buys a contract with an enterprise Linux distribution: the entity offering the contract didn't author the full stack (though I'd guess they have at least some kernel contributors on staff) but they can still support it in a way that keeps the compliance department of the buying company happy. Also, your kitchen knife set example is very relevant because, from personal experience, I know this happens but I also know problems (including accidents) resulting from using a personal knife set aren't attributed to the manufacturer of the knives but instead are treated exactly as if they happened using ones provided by the business that owns the kitchen.