I got introduced to open source, free software in 2005-6. I made many friends, fought with a few. We had Linux-User-Group, Delhi. We would hang out at Raj Mathur’s house(RIP Raj). We would talk, discuss and in the end, go for a kebab. Other regulars would include Gora, Karunakar, Vivek, Triveni, and Gaurav. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a different feeling that time; when we said community, it felt like being part of it, the togetherness. We would visit and take workshops at various colleges around NCR, Rajasthan, and UP. It was different. I am still in touch with a few. We organized open source events, met over beers. I am still in touch with over a dozen of those folks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now when I see community, I feel it comes with strings attached. Either about a product or hiring or money or social media glitz. Instead of helping, creating community, making life better for the kids, it’s about sharing photos, writing blog posts, and getting followers. I feel the community is commercialized. So I try to stay from any of these communities. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I got introduced to open source, free software in 2005-6. I made many friends, fought with a few. We had Linux-User-Group, Delhi. We would hang out at Raj Mathur’s house(RIP Raj). We would talk, discuss and in the end, go for a kebab. Other regulars would include Gora, Karunakar, Vivek, Triveni, and Gaurav. It was … <\/p>\n