I’ve been running a side project for a bit over 1 year. Shortly after launching I posted a ShowHN thread to showcase it. While the feedback was positive, the main complaint was that the tool is not open source.<p>For months I was on the edge wether I should open source it or not, my main concern being that someone would “steal” the code and sell it under their own brand.<p>Eventually I caved and decided to risk it. If someone takes the code and builds a better business out of it so be it.<p>Super excited about it, I started spreading the word that the tool is going open source and … radio silence. It got some stars and a couple of forks, but I don’t think anyone actually browsed the code or anything.<p>It made me wonder: this whole “I’m not using this tool unless it’s open source” is nothing more than hypocrisy? Because I don’t think those people actually go through the source code to make sure it’s safe or anything.<p>For me, the only benefit I see in a tool being open source is that I could build it and run it myself for free. Other than that, I couldn’t care less.
Lol never give into Internet pressure.<p>Especially when you don't know if the feedback given to you is legit or not (copy pasta, ai summarized, or in this case, tech "word salad" to recommend it should be open source)<p>Release if and whenever you want. Revoke access, "delete" the repo, do a complete rewrite that never ends up in prod, YOU decide.<p>Have a great day and best of luck (someone not interested at this exact moment to review your GitHub project but enough to reply to this thread - maybe I stumble across your next Show HN though and I hear your elevator pitch).
> If someone takes the code and builds a better business out of it so be it.<p>If that happens, hound them to hire you. Since you wrote it originally, you're the one who understands it the best. I expect that would make you an invaluable addition to their team.