Open Source Reality: A Maintainer's Perspective
What it really takes to keep a project running
Running an open source project like Poweradmin comes with challenges that aren't always visible to users and contributors. As the project has grown, I've found myself reflecting on what sustainable maintenance looks like and how to create the right environment for everyone involved.
Why I updated our contribution guidelines
I recently updated our contribution guidelines to better reflect the reality of maintaining this project. These updates include clearer attribution policies and more specific requirements for pull requests, helping contributors understand what makes for a successful submission. These changes aren't meant to discourage participation, but rather to create transparent expectations and ensure the project remains sustainable.
The reality behind the repository
What many don't see is that:
All work on this project happens during my personal free time
I review PRs, answer questions, investigate issues, and handle all maintenance tasks
I personally cover financial costs including the domain, tools, and website hosting
While I occasionally receive donations (which I greatly appreciate), they represent a small fraction of what the equivalent professional work would cost
Despite these challenges, we've built a stable tool used by organizations worldwide, with a growing user base and improved code quality with each release. The project continues to evolve thanks to community involvement.
I won't be making a code of conduct right now as I don't have the time or interest for this task. Instead, I've updated the existing guidelines which I believe sufficiently clarify expectations while maintaining the collaborative spirit that makes open source so valuable.
Finding joy and moving forward
Despite the challenges, there's something deeply rewarding about maintaining software that helps others. Seeing how people use the project and receiving positive feedback provides tremendous motivation and makes the effort worthwhile.
What keeps me going isn't individual recognition or credit, but knowing we're building something useful together. Your contributions, feedback, and acknowledgments provide the fuel that keeps this project moving forward. Donations also give me a boost of motivation, and I'm always thankful to those who provide this financial support - though this has never been my main target.
How you can help Poweradmin thrive
If you find Poweradmin valuable, here are specific ways you can help the project continue to grow:
Contribute code - Address open issues or implement new features
Improve documentation - Help make the project more accessible to new users
Report bugs - Detailed bug reports with steps to reproduce are incredibly valuable
Share your success stories - Let us know how Poweradmin helps in your environment
Spread the word - Tell others about the project if it's been useful to you
Let's continue focusing on what matters most: creating something we can all be proud of that makes everyone's work a little easier.