This post is more than three years old so may contain incorrect information, or opinions I no longer hold.
Microsoft Acquires GitHub – My Thoughts
It has been a couple of days since the announcement was made that Microsoft acquires GitHub.
As soon as the announcement broke, Fosstodon (my Mastodon instance) was immediately awash with people complaining about the acquisition, stating that Microsoft would inevitably ruin GitHub.
For the most part I have stayed pretty quiet on the whole thing, but I decided to jot down some of my thoughts because hey, I only get 500 characters on Fosstodon. ?
You Missed The Point
Personally, I have one project that is currently hosted on both GitHub and GitLab. I decided to create two repositories for no other reason than having a backup. Because backups are always good, kids.
I think a lot of people are missing the point when it comes to the Github acquisition, and they’re basically spreading a lot of FUD. I don’t think the issue here is that Microsoft are going to take over GitHub then ruin in. Why would they?
As I understand it from listening to a recent Linux Unplugged Podcast, Microsoft have a significant vested interest in GitHub for their code.
The Real Issue
For me the real issue here is a lack of decentralisation, and I’m not talking about decentralisation of code repositories, as they were pretty much centralised between a handful of core Git tools anyway.
The decentralisation I’m talking about here is when these behemoth corporations swallow up these companies, resulting in a lack of competition, innovation, and ultimately, choice.
Whether it was Google, Microsoft or Amazon who acquired GitHub; I really don’t care, my opinion would have been the same for any of these companies.
Will Microsoft ruin GitHub? I have no idea, but I can tell you this – the acquisitions that these corporations keep making only bolster their market share, their patents, and ultimately their control.
That’s what really concerns me!
Also, I find it strange that hardly anyone is kicking up a fuss about Electron. Erm, it’s maintained by GitHub you know folks, and there is a shit tonne of Linux Electron apps out there. If Microsoft are going to ruin GitHub, I think the community has bigger things to worry about.
What do you guys think? Am I missing the point here too? Please feel free to leave your thoughts below.
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