To Upstream or Not? Why Becoming the Maintainer of Your Dependencies Matters - Christos Markou

This talk features Christos Markou from Elastic discussing the importance of maintaining open-source software dependencies, particularly for observability vendors using OpenTelemetry. The speaker shares a compelling story about a deprecated OpenTelemetry component and illustrates how proactive engagement in open-source projects can lead to sustainable benefits for companies. By advocating for continued support and driving discussions within the community, the speaker demonstrates how these efforts not only preserve crucial components but also provide quick solutions to customer issues. Attendees will leave with a concrete example to present to management, emphasizing the value of investing in the health of open-source software.