diff --git a/run.local b/run.local index aa8329de3..6210c9259 100755 --- a/run.local +++ b/run.local @@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ function publish { generate rsync --archive --verbose --compress --update --delete \ - output_prod/ ssh.oliverdavies.uk:/srv/oliverdavies.uk-sculpin + output_prod/ ssh.oliverdavies.uk:/srv/www.oliverdavies.uk git stash pop } diff --git a/source/_daily_emails/2024-06-14.md b/source/_daily_emails/2024-06-14.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..18038364f --- /dev/null +++ b/source/_daily_emails/2024-06-14.md @@ -0,0 +1,33 @@ +--- +title: Dead or done +date: 2024-06-14 +permalink: daily/2024/06/14/dead-or-done +tags: + - software-development + - open-source +cta: ~ +snippet: | + How do you know if a project is dead or feature complete? +--- + +Yesterday, I wrote about [some things I look for when evaluating open-source projects][0]. + +One thing I said was "When was the most recent commit and release?". + +If a project hasn't had many recent commits, it could be outdated or no longer supported. + +Alternatively, it could be considered feature complete and not getting new features, and only getting bug fixes and maintenance updates. + +I see this a lot with Vim plugins that were written several years ago and are now minimally maintained and updated, but getting no new features. + +This happens in the Drupal space, too, when people wrote a module for a project which they have since completed, or no longer work with that client or for that company. + +If there are at least commits for security compatibility, such as new versions of PHP or node, that's a sign the project is in a maintenance phase. + +If there are no recent commits, the project could be dead and I'd carefully consider if you want to add or use it. + +Something that could help is if maintainers are explicit about what state their project is in. + +Add a note to the README.md or CONTRIBUTING.md file saying if the project is feature complete or what the maintenance state is. + +If the project is no longer maintained, you can also document it and potentially archive the repository too to show that it will no longer be updated and to avoid confusion.