A universe of events and platforms focused on open source, open tech and the open web.

All Things Open

Chris Heilmann, VP of Developer Relations at WeAreDevelopers, argues that app stores were the biggest regression in software distribution, trading openness for convenience and giving companies power to restrict features based on wealth. He draws parallels between AI-assisted coding creating subscription dependency and agentic browsing mirroring malware behavior. The discussion covers the distinction between open web, open tech, and open source, highlights how NVDA was built by blind developers as a counter-example of true open source power, and warns that convenience-driven tools erode the accessibility and independence that made software development open to everyone regardless of location, wealth, or ability.

Trading openness for convenience: From app stores to AI assistants

Why subscription dependency threatens developer independence, and how to fight back.