Why I Do Open Source
I spend part of my free time as an open source developer. That’s no coincidence.
In a world where software permeates more and more areas of our lives, at some point the question arises: do I just consume, or do I actively shape things? For me, the answer has become clear.
One of the most obvious reasons is that I have the technical skills. Over the years, I’ve built up knowledge, solved problems, and understood systems. Letting that skillset go unused simply feels like a waste. Open source gives me the opportunity to apply these abilities in a meaningful way, outside of ticket systems, deadlines, and business goals.
Learning by Doing
At the same time, I’m someone who enjoys learning, not just in theory. You can read documentation or work through tutorials, but I only truly understand things when I apply them. Open source puts me exactly in that position. New technologies, unfamiliar codebases, and different approaches constantly push me to learn.
For me, it’s clear: practice beats theory. There’s a difference between thinking you understand something and actually grasping and solving a problem. Open source is a playground where I can experiment without everything needing to be perfect. At the same time, it’s a real reality check, because the code is public.
Solving Real Problems
A concrete example of this is one of my projects: there was no Certbot plugin for a specific DNS provider. Since I support the Let’s Encrypt initiative and believe it’s important to make HTTPS accessible to everyone, I filled that gap. I developed the missing plugin myself, certbot_dns_duckdns, because I knew the problem from real-world experience.
And that’s exactly what open source is about, in my view. The project became surprisingly successful, not because it was particularly fancy or experimental, but because it solved a real problem. There was a clear target audience that had been waiting for exactly this.
What motivates me most: I love solving real problems. Not hypothetical tasks or artificial examples, but concrete challenges from everyday life. When I can contribute to making software more stable or meaningfully extend it, it’s incredibly fulfilling.
Open Source as Contribution
And then there’s another aspect that is almost the most important to me. I see open source as a form of volunteering. Not in the traditional sense, but at its core it follows the same principle. I invest time and energy without direct compensation to create something that helps others.
Especially in times when topics like data privacy, digital sovereignty, and open standards are becoming increasingly important, I consider open source essential. It is a way to actively participate in shaping the digital future, not just as a consumer, but as a contributor.
A Matter of Mindset
In the end, for me, it is a mix of personal growth, technical curiosity, and a certain sense of responsibility toward the community.
And maybe that is exactly the point: open source is not just code. It is a mindset.