The True Value of Open Source Isn’t Just Code—It’s the Community

In light of the recent turbulence within the WordPress ecosystem and the broader discussions around license changes in various open-source projects, there’s something that needs to be said, even though it should be painfully obvious:

The real value of any open-source project is not just its source code. It’s the community. It’s the collective of people who come together, putting aside individual differences, to build something mutually beneficial. 

It’s easy to see why this gets confused; after all, “source” is right there in the phrase “open source.” And make no mistake, the code itself is critical. But what’s far more important is how that code comes into existence and evolves. The governance structures and the way contributors and users are treated shape the long-term viability and success of any open-source project. In fact, these elements often outweigh the technical quality of the code itself.

And while licensing is also incredibly important, if recent events have shown us anything it’s that a license alone is no shield from poor governance.

We’ve seen this understood by organizations like the Linux Foundation, OpenInfra Foundation, and others. Their success doesn’t stem from having the best technology in every case; it stems from their ability to nurture thriving ecosystems. Ecosystems are the glue that binds contributors, users, and developers, leading to greater collaboration and innovation. This is the key to scaling open source in a sustainable way.

Take Linux, Kubernetes, or OpenStack. Each of these platforms does most of what users need it to do — maybe 90% or more. But what’s transformative is that the remaining 5-10% is open and accessible. Users can modify and extend the code to suit their unique needs, and in doing so, they often give back, contributing upstream to the benefit of others. This isn’t just about solving technical problems; it’s about creating and fostering communities of innovation.

Open source can only thrive when communities are supported, nurtured, and empowered. It falters when we prioritize short-term goals over long-term communal health.

This should be obvious. But if recent events have taught us anything, it’s that this fundamental truth still needs to be reiterated. The future of open source depends on our ability to keep our communities at the heart of everything we build.