Onchain Alpha | Measuring the impact of open source software contributions with Open Source Observer

In this episode of Onchain Alpha Carl Cervone of Open Source Observer (Prev Hypercerts) discusses the importance of funding open source projects and the emergence of a culture of funding public goods in the Web3 ecosystem. He highlights the need for coordination and standards in the development of protocols and the role of open source in facilitating experimentation. Carl also explains the value of open source data and the role of the Open Source Observer project in connecting project work activities with on-chain data. He specifically mentions the impact of optimism in the L2 space and the ability to track and analyze data to prove its impact. The conversation explores the challenges of proving impact in the Web3 ecosystem and the role of data in measuring and incentivizing public goods. It discusses the need for impact data scientists and the potential of leveraging the social graph in open source networks. The conversation also touches on the importance of finding better metrics to measure impact and the opportunities for Web3 as more people get involved in impact data analysis.

 

Project website: https://www.opensource.observer/

Project Socials: https://twitter.com/osobserver

Carl Socials: https://twitter.com/carl_cervone

 

Takeways:

- There is a growing culture of funding public goods in the Web3 ecosystem, driven by the recognition of the interdependence and the need for collaboration.

- Protocols in the Web3 space require leadership that is focused on the long-term sustainability of the protocol and is willing to eventually step back and let the community take over.

- Open source projects in the crypto space have the advantage of being able to connect project work activities with on-chain data, allowing for better understanding and analysis of their impact.

- The Open Source Observer project aims to provide a platform for connecting project work activities with on-chain data, enabling the tracking and analysis of the impact of open source projects.

- Optimism has made a significant impact in the L2 space, and the Open Source Observer project has been able to track and analyze data to prove its impact. Proving impact in the Web3 ecosystem is challenging, but leading metrics like developer activity and user activity can provide some indication.

- The role of impact data scientists is emerging as a valuable skill set in the Web3 space.

- Leveraging the social graph in open source networks can enable new possibilities for measuring impact and identifying valuable projects.

- Finding better metrics to measure impact is an ongoing process, and being specific and detail-oriented is crucial.

- The opportunities for Web3 are vast as more people get involved in impact data analysis and contribute to the growth of public goods.