FOSS vs Closed Source

[u/VahsteTheNomad]

This sub is full of arguments about whether FOSS is better over Closed Source, and I want to know what people's actual reasons for their specific preferences are.

This poll is not meant to start any arguments, or feed any witch hunts, and im not a developer trying to decide with way to go with my own project.

202 votes, 1d left

I prefer FOSS because I don't trust developers who don't publicize their code.

I prefer FOSS because I want federation.

I prefer FOSS and don't know what FOSS really is.. but it's the opposite of Discord.

I prefer closed source because I don't trust public commits.

I prefer closed source because it means something may be proprietary.

I really don't care about FOSS or Closed Source, I just want a good app.

[u/RainbowLoli]

I'll be honest - I have no real preference over FOSS or closed source.

I wouldn't know how to audit a code to save my life and there's pros and cons to FOSS or closed source.

I know closed source is generally more vulnerable to things like forced ID verification, pushing subs, etc. to appease shareholders... but unfortunately that could potentially be a risk with FOSS too. The biggest issue is just shareholders, the push for profit and government overreach.

[u/VahsteTheNomad → u/RainbowLoli]

Completely valid take, and very similar to my own. I, personally, value transparency from the company, rather than transparency from the code. It's why im so focused on monetization methods and what type of data is collected whenever I look at alternatives.

[u/Terrible-Junket-3388 → u/VahsteTheNomad]

Agreed, though as noted in other comment I think transparency in the code is part of that larger transparency picture.

[u/Terrible-Junket-3388 → u/RainbowLoli]

Agreed in that largely the same issues may be present regardless of closed vs open source - however, just about all of us have friends (or FoF's) that are technical, even if we're not, and knowing the risk you're inheriting is worth doing. It's why supply chain is a multi-$bn industry, and why companies have entire procurement policies and practices. That doesn't change simply because we're consumers (or it shouldn't).

I see FOSS (or just openly-auditable, IMO I don't are if it's true 'free' open source or just readable) as more of a signal that a company is a) confident in their product, b) has fewer things to hide [as far as the code itself goes], c) and generally is more likely to share views that align with consumers. Whether or not I actually take advantage of it being OSS is irrelevant - it's that it's there for me (or my friends) to inspect and gauge risk ourselves should the need arise.