Open Source Summit + AI_dev Japan 2024

When a project is abandoned by its inventors, core contributors, and the most prolific community members, it often spells the end. Yet, Meteor.js managed to rebound from the brink of oblivion. This talk explores the critical factors that led to Meteor's fall from being one of the hottest new projects to its near-demise and the remarkable turnaround. We'll delve into the issues that created the crisis, and more importantly, the strategies and actions that enabled a successful comeback. The discussion will cover the pivotal errors that contributed to the project's initial decline and the challenges faced by the community in reviving Meteor, including the lack of comprehensive internal documentation. We will examine the solutions that facilitated the recovery, while also addressing the ongoing challenges and unresolved issues within the Meteor community. Finally, we will explore practical steps and tools you can employ to safeguard your own open-source projects from similar pitfalls.