The Open Source Maintainer's Dilemma: How to Actually Help

A developer on Hacker News highlights the challenges faced by open-source maintainers. Large organizations rely on these projects for cost savings but rarely contribute back, leaving maintainers overwhelmed. The core issue is poor communication: maintainers lack clear contribution guidelines, leaving contributors unsure how to help effectively. The author suggests maintainers clearly state their needs—whether they accept PRs, how to submit bug reports, and if they accept monetary support—to improve efficiency and collaboration.