>A community project's aim is loosey-goosey. The mission, values, governance, ownership/control, etc can change. While there is input from the community, they are often led by one or two dominant personalities.
Project direction can change in any case. Even against user's wishes.
The difference: in a community-led project, it's usually >1 person at the helm. And those leaders can put themselves at risk of being replaced by their community. Which at least puts a cap on how much they can push through their own decisions.
A benevolent dictator doesn't have this problem. And therefore can move easier.
But it's a fine line, and very easy to run foul of the "benevolent" part @ some point. Few DFLs manage this long-term.
Not to mention that over time, a community's desired project direction may simple diverge from project leader's vision. Pet project with a handful like-minded contributors != big project with many users & contributors.
Project direction can change in any case. Even against user's wishes.
The difference: in a community-led project, it's usually >1 person at the helm. And those leaders can put themselves at risk of being replaced by their community. Which at least puts a cap on how much they can push through their own decisions.
A benevolent dictator doesn't have this problem. And therefore can move easier.
But it's a fine line, and very easy to run foul of the "benevolent" part @ some point. Few DFLs manage this long-term.
Not to mention that over time, a community's desired project direction may simple diverge from project leader's vision. Pet project with a handful like-minded contributors != big project with many users & contributors.