I think using number of downloaded will also count number of build on each commit. Imagine if you have three branch in your repository, each push will rebuild the project (redownload dependencies). If you push three times a day it will download three dependencies three times.
Also, some project include their dependencies to VCS which only count once per build.
I use makefile as the library package dependency [1], maybe like what package.json was in node environment.
The idea is if you want to use the library, you just include the makefile inside your project makefile, define a TARGET values and you will automatically have tasks for build, debug, etc.
The key is a hack on .SECONDEXPANSION pragma of GNU make, which means it's only work in GNU/Linux environment.
AFAIK, there is no changes in accounting process since, I don't know, 50 years ago? Accounting should have been replaced by software and people start teaching/learning how to use the software instead of teaching at university.
Do not. If you based your decision because you think or heard that some famous and rich people dropped out from school, you just committed survivorship bias. [1]
Here is a thing that I learned when I finished college (I have two degrees which means it has been happened twice in my life):
college is not just about learning, its about finding friends and socializing. You can learn anything by yourself, anytime, anywhere, but knowing some people is hard.
You may think that your friend is loser, because they are just playing or party around. Well, here is the thing: one of your friend will be someone, either small business men or work in government. This is a long-term investment. When they success and you have learned more skill in IT, when they need some custom software or service, they will probably remember you and call you or vice versa.
Big company can wait later, do you think you are the only programmer out there? Think again, there is probably more with a degree, experience, and smarter than you.
So, you failed on exam? Try again and keep having fun with your friend.
So, you don't like socializing? Write something, built something, while you still have free time in college, learn and create. Later you will get a degree and product to show. Free time is hard to get when you already in "big" company.
Do you even use Slack? I don't work for Slack but your comment is so misleading.
> but one thing that concerns me is that the discussion that happens is no longer (easily) searchable.
No it is not. Look at the top right and type your words. If you use free plan, only 10k message will be archived, other than that it will be deleted.[1]
> Mailing list archives are handy when you are looking for a solution to a problem. With Slack, a lot of that knowledge disappears.
Its a tool for direct communication for group, not for documentation. I think you miss a hammer for screwdriver.
If the article's writer read this, please add this as one of the reason why FOSS need to move from GitHub.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vendor_lock-in