Microsoft Buys Github.com! How About a Blockchain Version of Github To Correct This Mistake? ;)
As pointed out by @jrcornel - Microsoft are buying Github! - I really didn't see that coming!
For those who are unaware, Github.com is the largest website for storing software source code and co-operating with other to create and improve that source code. It contains a combination of public and open source software, along with a large number of private repositories too. Millions of people rely on it to make software development easier and to access the work of others who openly share it.
Meanwhile, for those who may not be aware - Microsoft is a software company that made some operating systems that sometimes work and sometimes break a lot - which you cannot fix due to the code not being open source and which you have to often pay them considerable money to get support from that itself often doesn't help!
The difference between Github and Microsoft is like the difference between oil and water - how can they ever mix well?
While Github has facilitated a massive growth in free software and open sharing, Microsoft on the other hand has effectively, continually worked to prevent any kind of open source software on its platform and operating system. The main example I can think of where they DID support open source software was where they created the basic structure of the UEFA Bios system that is now used in most computers and then pretended to release it to the world via an open source (non Microsoft) working group. Researchers later found Windows codes in the source code for the BIOS.. So Microsoft basically designed the code that runs at the base level of many computers now - while pretending that they don't.. OK then.
What does Microsoft intend?
According to mainstream media sources, the aim is to combine Microsoft's Azure cloud services with Github to maximise the use of Azure. I have no way of commenting on that since I don't know anything about it. However, I am concerned about Microsoft's action here for two main reasons:
I have watched in the past, several examples of large tech companies buying other companies in order to destroy them - not purely for profit motives, but for political / philosophical agendas. Cisco Systems purchase of tribe.net, one of the earliest social networks - being a strong example. I do not expect Microsoft to literally destroy Github as Cisco did to Tribe, but I would not be surprised if they altered it just enough to seriously disrupt its usefulness for open source projects. Microsoft is a PROPRIETARY software company and open source is their opponent in that sense.
Microsoft not only gains access to Github as a platform, but also - presumably - gains access to their PRIVATE repositories too. All of the corporations and groups around the world that have been using Github to store their own secret and proprietary code now have a new surprise 'business partner' 'helping' them with their code! I'm sure the management/development team at Microsoft will be quite excited at the prospect of being able to access much of the rest of the world's private code a they think of ideas to suddenly 'invent' in the future!
What to do?
My suggestion is to carefully consider whether or not to continue hosting open source code on Github, especially if you are using private repositories. Find alternatives!
I don't really expect many software companies to take this risk seriously, however. We shall see if Steemit Inc. chooses to relocate the Steem repositories elsewhere!
A Blockchain version of Github?
It occurs to me that a blockchain based version of Github could definitely be created - perhaps on EOS! This would potentially bring a totally new level of transparency and reliability to software - provided that the blockchain itself remains secure.
What do you think? Is the BLOCKHUB chain going to be a 'thing'? Maybe with REPO tokens? :)
Wishing you well,
Ura Soul
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Whenever blockchain is proposed, there is supposed to be financial incentive to come from fees.
It is supposed to have some profits.
What should be charged in a replacement to github's case?
Pull requests?
Should anyone with a suggestion for a change be required to buy some tokens in order to submit an edition?
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Microsoft owning Github....what could POSSIBLY go wrong?
BLOCKHUB with REPO tokens will be absolutely perfect, I feel! ;)
Thank you for the info and your very good ideas, @ura-soul!
A big hug from @amico!
You are welcome! Maybe @utopian-io and @elear can consider this for the future ;)
Yes, without any doubt!
Microsoft also has government back doors in its operating system. I bought a pc and wiped windows off of it and put Ubuntu on. If I buy another one, I will do the same thing.
I do not trust a Github owned by Microsoft.
Very interesting. I wish there were MORE platforms that were open source, but instead a great one might be eliminated. I can't really think of any innocent reasons for the takeover, so hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised.
from now microsoft will use people code in developing their any system because there are plenty of projects people shares on guthub.
Yuck... Indeed a hostile takeover, MS was threatened by the network of developers on the Git. They are only delaying the inevitable, that dino needs to be converted to petro already. Problem with a blockchain Git is the money/investors/incentives politics that comes with them. A lot of people think blockchains are some anarcho-utopian dream, but I have yet to see the anything that would suggest such a thing. It's an amusing confusion, but I digress... Bad news all around. :\
That is really worrying & I agree with you on all your points. There have been many companies bought for many reasons & dismantled because the don’t fit in the stitch up Orwellian future we have walked blindly into.
Block chain version is the way probably. It seems like the best option for lots of things.
Resteemed & upvoted
A campaign should be made on this.
Except if Microsoft want to disfigure the comfortablity of the Blockchain,
Moreover. There should be a limitations to Microsoft.
Or else if they get it and didn't change Github. Policy.
I like the EOS alternative you mentioned -- that could work really well. :)