Traditionally, the "user" role in open source ecosystems is ignored, or relegated to the status of "leech" or otherwise undesirable, non-contributor, outsider, other. The user is marginalized in open source development discussions. The value of the user is not well understood, and difficult to quantify.

This talk examines the role of the user in open source ecosystems and takes a closer look at how the user contributes to the health and growth of the ecosystem. It suggests that the user is in fact an integral component of open source ecosystems, and that its contribution, while passive, is key to long term success.

In the presentation, the evolving role of the user is examined, and an attempt is made to describe the means of quantifying the value of user participation to the ecosystem. The target audience of this presentation is open source community organizers, ecosystem participants, and open source proponents in general, especially those with entrepreneurial inclinations.