The journey from novice coder to open source project owner was reached last week when the url went up for the lifestylelinking – open source project. It is just the start but open sourcing the code I have been working on for years to build the site mepath.com is a big moment for me, as a coder and for my life. Some reflections on it all:
- I wish I had open sourced the code earlier. Why? Years of isolation coding has some down sides, it cuts you off from feedback. However, most of that time was in a mode I call, ‘discovery coding’. That is figuring out a science, in this case involving the mathematics of the wisdom of the crowd to personalize information and connect individuals in context.
- Already, the code is evolving with the help of others, my cosy server and stack now expose to the diversity of the Internet world.
- End users given working setups of the site can provide more precise feedback on the functionality and usability and data is gathered on need rather then just because we can (hopefully thats better for the environment).
- You feel like you are contributing to the greater good.
The future is an uncertain place but open sourcing the code means all are now free to participate.
