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Explore how relying on proprietary platforms like Slack, GitHub, Notion, or Zoom undermines the principles of open source software development in this 22-minute conference talk from Config Management Camp Ghent 2026. Discover why using non-free tools creates contradictions with open source values, excludes potential contributors, locks communities into corporate ecosystems, and alienates idealistic contributors who prioritize software freedom. Learn practical strategies for identifying proprietary dependencies in your project workflow and understand the importance of aligning your development tools with your project's open source mission. Examine real-world examples of how tool choices impact community participation and project sustainability, while gaining insights into alternative free and open source tools that can replace proprietary solutions without sacrificing functionality or collaboration effectiveness.
