There comes a point where you have to confront reality, and you can't be a fanboy without examining some things with clarity. Recently, Cypress published a blog post that left me with jaw dropped, unable to square their professed principles with their actual actions.
In their statement, Cypress emphasizes their commitment to open source and the thriving community that has contributed to their success over the past 9 years. They highlight their desire to facilitate innovation and collective growth through collaboration. Admirable, right?
The latest decision to limit access to third-party plugins, including other dashboards, paints a starkly different picture. If you're integrated with third parties, you literally cannot perform your tests. They justify this decision by claiming to protect their intellectual property, a term that raises eyebrows considering that framework project is founded on the MIT license.
To be clear, an MIT license means that the code can be used, modified, and shared freely. It is a pillar of open source, cultivating a culture of collaboration and mutual benefit. So, how does the concept of "intellectual property" come into the picture?
The decision to restrict third-party products and services seems to be at odds with the very essence of open source. It not only stifles innovation but also hampers the diverse ways in which developers choose to integrate and display testing results.
Cypress Cloud, their commercial product, undoubtedly plays a vital role in sustaining their community-focused model. However, it should not come at the cost of limiting users' choices and forcing them into a one-size-fits-all approach. If you can't build a more cost-effective and convenient dashboard tool, then why not cooperate with those who can?
Fair competition and ethical business practices are laudable goals, but they must be manifested in actions, not just words. The current move raises questions about whether these principles are being applied consistently.
Edit: I've recently learned that they permit a third-party dashboards, but it comes at a hefty price (5k$/year) for the connector. You can find more details here. Could you please reaffirm that this isn't a money-making scheme, but rather a genuine effort to protect community rights and intellectual property? Lol.
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