The Left's Latest Obsession: Ejabberd and the Open Source Fantasy

In the ever-evolving world of technology, there's always a new darling that captures the hearts of the tech-savvy. Enter Ejabberd, an open-source XMPP server that has become the latest obsession for those who champion the open-source movement. Developed by ProcessOne, Ejabberd is a robust, scalable, and flexible messaging server that has been around since 2002. It's used by companies and developers worldwide to power real-time communication applications. But why has it become the latest craze among the left-leaning tech enthusiasts? The answer is simple: it represents everything they love about open-source software—community-driven, free, and a supposed antidote to corporate greed.

First off, let's talk about the allure of open-source software. It's no secret that the left has a soft spot for anything that challenges the status quo, and open-source software does just that. It offers an alternative to the big, bad corporations that dominate the tech industry. With Ejabberd, anyone can access the source code, modify it, and distribute it as they see fit. This is a dream come true for those who believe in the power of the collective over the individual. It's a way to stick it to the man and prove that a community-driven approach can be just as effective, if not more so, than a corporate one.

But let's not kid ourselves. While Ejabberd may be a powerful tool, it's not without its flaws. For starters, it's not exactly user-friendly. Setting up and configuring Ejabberd requires a certain level of technical expertise that the average user simply doesn't have. This means that, despite its open-source nature, it's still largely inaccessible to the masses. So much for the egalitarian dream of open-source software being available to everyone.

Moreover, the open-source model isn't as perfect as its proponents would have you believe. Sure, it's great that anyone can contribute to the development of Ejabberd, but this also means that there's no guarantee of quality or security. With so many cooks in the kitchen, it's easy for bugs and vulnerabilities to slip through the cracks. And when it comes to something as important as real-time communication, security is paramount. Do you really want to trust your data to a server that may or may not have been properly vetted?

Then there's the issue of support. With proprietary software, you have the backing of a company that can provide assistance when things go wrong. With open-source software like Ejabberd, you're largely on your own. Sure, there's a community of developers who can offer help, but there's no guarantee that you'll get the support you need in a timely manner. This is a major drawback for businesses that rely on real-time communication to operate.

And let's not forget the hypocrisy of it all. While the left loves to champion open-source software as a way to fight against corporate greed, the reality is that many of the companies that use Ejabberd are themselves profit-driven enterprises. They may be using open-source software, but they're still in it for the money. It's a classic case of wanting to have your cake and eat it too.

In the end, Ejabberd is just another tool in the ever-growing arsenal of open-source software. It's a powerful messaging server that has its merits, but it's not the panacea that its proponents would have you believe. It's a complex, often inaccessible piece of software that requires a certain level of expertise to use effectively. And while it may offer an alternative to the corporate giants of the tech world, it's not without its own set of challenges and drawbacks. So before you jump on the Ejabberd bandwagon, take a moment to consider whether it's really the right choice for you.