Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” project?

Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by mikemcquaid on Friday February 11, 2022 @07:36AM (#30300677)

I’m the project leader for Homebrew and have been maintaining it for 12 years. I have no planned dramatic changes for it or expectations I’ll radically improve it in any way. I just try to keep all parts of the project ticking along and I still enjoy doing so, despite feeling no real obligation to continue.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by fredley on Friday February 11, 2022 @10:24AM (#30302458)

Can you invert a binary tree on a whiteboard though?

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by amarshall on Friday February 11, 2022 @10:49AM (#30302790)

For context: https://twitter.com/mxcl/status/608682016205344768

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by AussieWog93 on Friday February 11, 2022 @08:15AM (#30301043)

Possibly dumb question, but have you considered looking for a successor to take over the project?

Homebrew has basically reached the point where it's "critical infrastructure" for macOS devs, and it would really be a damn shame to see it slowly fade away just because the creator has moved onto other things.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by Centigonal on Friday February 11, 2022 @08:41AM (#30301330)

I think you may be misunderstanding GP's clarity around the intended scope of the project with a lack of enthusiasm about maintaining the project.

Homebrew is critical infrastructure, which is exactly why it shouldn't change dramatically.

Now, if GP has lost interest in the project, or doesn't have the time to keep it running satisfactorily, I'd definitely agree with you - but I didn't get that impression from his post.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by telesilla on Friday February 11, 2022 @09:12AM (#30301673)

If I understand correctly, it's not about losing interest but ensuring there is a successor for when GP wishes to step back or is forced to do so. The community should acknowledge this and fund training and possibly salary for who's next.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by mikemcquaid on Saturday February 12, 2022 @02:31PM (#30315546)

I’ve been working on finding a successor and ensuring the project has a bus factor of more than one for at least. The latter has been solved but the prior won’t until I step down, despite my best efforts otherwise.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by mikemcquaid on Saturday February 12, 2022 @02:33PM (#30315559)

Many times. I haven’t found one yet whom I felt would take over everything I do. Given I still enjoy it, it feels like there’s no need to reduce the number of humans working on the project in the hope that it’ll encourage someone else to step up and do more.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by sneak on Friday February 11, 2022 @02:58PM (#30306270)

It's not critical infrastructure.

There are better alternatives, even, that are a quick and painless install process away. For example, nixpkgs is competitive with it, and does not include the Google phone-home supercookie tracking spyware that is on by default without consent in every Homebrew installation, and works great on macOS.

Homebrew could disappear tomorrow and nothing extremely bad would happen. That can't be said for the power grid or water system. Tossing around the term "critical infrastructure" for things that are important but very sub-critical is hyperbole that waters down the (important) term to meaninglessness.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by hw on Saturday February 12, 2022 @05:22PM (#30317053)

I bumped into a lion in the forest the other day that was aghast and somehow offended and told me the same thing when I mentioned that power grids and water systems were critical infrastructure.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by thecleaner on Friday February 11, 2022 @09:32AM (#30301896)

If you don't make money off of it, you really should. I'll definitely try to make my employer pay for it. Homebrew is quite important piece of tooling. Thank you for making it.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by shishironline on Friday February 11, 2022 @08:21AM (#30301130)

You have done a great job, and helped innumerable developers along the way. Thanks

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by sunsetMurk on Friday February 11, 2022 @08:15AM (#30301052)

So casual :-)

I use Homebrew every day. Thank you for the the incredible work in keeping things ticking along. And congrats on still enjoying it!

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by sgt on Friday February 11, 2022 @10:50AM (#30302808)

Homebrew has made a difference to me and dozens of other developers I personally know, and probably hundreds of thousands world wide. Thanks for your efforts.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by zachwill on Friday February 11, 2022 @10:06AM (#30302251)

You’ve done an unbelievable job, Mike!

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by arbitrage on Friday February 11, 2022 @09:21AM (#30301768)

You do great work. Can I buy you a $DRINK for your dedication?

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by slinger on Friday February 11, 2022 @10:46AM (#30302744)

I've been using homebrew for almost 10 years and I just wanted to say thank you for your amazing work!

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by Ancalagon on Friday February 11, 2022 @11:27AM (#30303347)

Is there a donation link or something for homebrew? I can't believe such a popular tool is not making you guys money.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by johnnypangs on Friday February 11, 2022 @11:53AM (#30303665)

https://github.com/homebrew/brew#donations

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by llampx on Friday February 11, 2022 @12:11PM (#30303935)

This is like meeting a celebrity. Awesome work on homebrew!

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by contingencies on Friday February 11, 2022 @06:22PM (#30308211)

If there's anyone at Apple reading, pay this guy.

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by mikemcquaid on Saturday February 12, 2022 @02:25PM (#30315501)

They provide help and CI hardware. I have no desire to be either employed by Apple or work on Homebrew for a living (currently, at least).

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Re:Ask HN: What is your “I don't care if this succeeds” proj... by contingencies on Saturday February 12, 2022 @07:07PM (#30317677)

Glad you are being supported in the manner to which you have become accustomed! When you retire maybe ask for a donation. I doubt they'd say no.

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