Long Term Support, Government Mandates, and Open Source Software - Strategies for Sanity

Learn about the complexities of Long Term Support (LTS) in open source software through this 28-minute conference talk that explores the balance between stability and compliance with government regulations. Examine the challenges maintainers face when supporting LTS versions, including the tension between providing only fixes versus implementing mandated security updates. Discover the advantages and limitations of LTS strategies, understand when this approach may not be suitable, and explore alternative approaches to software maintenance. Gain practical insights into making informed decisions about utilizing LTS software while avoiding potential pitfalls, or developing strategies that don't rely on LTS at all. Master the considerations needed to navigate the interests of maintainers, software suppliers, and regulatory requirements in the evolving landscape of open source software support.