I don’t have any reason right now to suspect this happening, but I can’t get it out of my mind that the Meshtastic project may at some point paywall the app or otherwise enshittify it as it gains popularity.

This sudden fear came at the heels of another open source project I had been using (PicoKey) deciding to pull some enshittification. The dev pulled down all the tools that let you configure the keys, left them down for several months, and finally released a paywalled app which is now the only way to configure them. Thankfully I am still using my Yubikey for most things and the PicoKey was just for some internal test stuff.

I know MeshCore does similar; you pay for the app but the firmware is free.

So, is this fear misplaced, justified, and does anyone see the project forking if this were to happen?

Edit: I’m aware of a few desktop apps such as an AIM-like messenger and a TUI-based one). I’m talking more for Android or iOS for sake of portability.

Edit 2: I’m not at all opposed to paying for things like this to support the developers. Far from it. But the paid version has to provide a benefit that does not come at the expense of intentionally making the existing/free version worse or just pulling it altogether (looking at you, PicoKey guy). I also won’t subscribe. Ever. lol.

  • poVoq@slrpnk.net
    14·
    5 days ago

    I think the biggest issue with Meshtastic is the dependence on a proprietary hardware standard. So there is definitely a risk there and the developers of Meshtastic software should probably consider supporting the more open Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah) standard in addition.

    • Iced Raktajino@startrek.websiteOP
      5·
      5 days ago

      I would love to get my hands on some HaLow gear but it’s either unobtanium or crazy expensive compared to LoRa.

      There’s some Heltec (I think?) chips I saw recently but I haven’t dug too far into libraries or driver support.