Puppies, Conversations, and Real Talk on OSS Security at Open Source Summit America

As a marketer in tech, I get to do some pretty cool things, but nothing quite matches the magic of a great conference. At HeroDevs, we're lucky—we work across various industries and products, which means we attend all sorts of events and meet a wide array of incredible people.

My recent trip to Denver for the Open Source Summit America definitely ranks high on my list of favorites, mostly because of the people. Sure, the frisbees designed to look like vinyl records, Legos, and our vintage record-shop booth were cool (and fun!), but the real highlights were the conversations—about dogs, hiking in the Rocky Mountains, and, of course, the persistent challenge of securing legacy open-source software in a world that cycles through versions faster than you can blink.

When I first jumped into tech, I didn't fully grasp how deeply the end-of-life (EOL) issue affects enterprises. But these days, whenever I ask folks if they're running deprecated versions of open-source software, I almost always get the same reaction: a sheepish chuckle and a subtle avoidance of eye contact. It’s a universal pain point, and unfortunately, the solutions haven't always been clear or accessible.

Coming from a journalism background, I've always been drawn to understanding these reactions and helping people navigate complex issues. That's why I got into journalism in the first place—I wanted to help people make sense of the endless stream of information and clearly see their options.

That's exactly why I love being part of HeroDevs. We’re addressing a real-world problem that countless companies face, offering a straightforward, effective solution. It’s incredibly satisfying to watch someone's face light up when they realize that HeroDevs can help keep their legacy stacks secure, stable, and compliant without forcing an immediate, disruptive migration. It's not always about dev teams balancing new features with maintaining legacy OSS. Often, the reality is simply that the application is too large and the upgrade cycles are relentless. I've heard from teams who have spent months, sometimes years, on major migrations—only to finish just in time for their “new” version to hit end-of-life again.

Recognizing this cycle and being able to offer real relief to these teams has made my conversations at events like Open Source Summit incredibly meaningful.

If you couldn't make it to Denver—or if you just want to relive the magic—we've captured some of the best moments from the Open Source Summit America in our recap video.

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Curious about how HeroDevs can support your legacy systems? Explore our products.

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