Working in Public Book Summary

In "Working in Public," Nadia Eghbal explores the hidden dynamics of open-source software development, revealing the intricate relationship between developers and their communities. She delves into the culture of collaboration, the relentless pursuit of innovation, and the often-overlooked contributions of volunteers. Through captivating anecdotes and deep analysis, Eghbal challenges conventional narratives about value and ownership in the digital age. What happens when passion meets the complexities of public work? Discover how the invisible threads of the tech world shape our society and the meaning of work itself.

By Nadia Eghbal

Published: 2020

""In a world where the tools are open and the contributions are public, the real mastery comes from understanding the community that builds around them.""

Book Review of Working in Public

Open source software has undergone significant shift over the past 20 years. Today, often unseen solo operators maintain code used by millions. In Working in Public, Nadia Eghbal takes an inside look at modern open software development and its evolution over the last two decades--and its ramifications for an internet reorienting itself around individual creators. She examines GitHub as a platform; the structures, roles, incentives, and relationships of open source projects; and their heretofore unexplored maintenance, via the work that software requires its creators and the costs of production that must be maintained. Open source offers us a model through which to understand the challenges faced by online creators on all platforms."--Publisher description

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"In a world where the tools are open and the contributions are public, the real mastery comes from understanding the community that builds around them."

Working in Public

By Nadia Eghbal