Resurrecting the Dead

Juliette Reinders Folmer takes us deep into the unseen side of open source — where critical software used by millions often survives thanks to a few overextended volunteers. Through real-world examples like PHP CodeSniffer, she illustrates how people unintentionally become maintainers when projects are on the verge of collapse and why this poses both technical and ethical challenges for the entire community.

She unpacks the lifecycle of open-source projects, why they’re abandoned, and the systemic risks associated with companies relying on underfunded tools. Juliette outlines the importance of funding, documentation, contributor development, and succession planning to ensure long-term project health. Her candid reflections reveal the loneliness, burnout, and responsibility that come with maintenance — and a call for everyone who benefits from open source to help sustain it.

What You’ll Learn

• How developers become “accidental maintainers” of abandoned open source projects
• The typical lifecycle of open source projects and why many are eventually abandoned
• How to recognize and prevent maintainer burnout
• Why funding open source must be part of your IT budget, not marketing
• Practical steps for documenting, mentoring, and creating sustainable contributor pipelines
• How to manage succession and reduce the “bus factor” in critical projects
• The importance of transparency, automated checks, and community engagement for long-term health
• How to identify risks in your software dependencies and protect your business from hidden vulnerabilities