I often get asked on the OpenTracing and OpenCensus projects, how they relate to each other, and how I feel about it.
TL;DR I believe that OT/OC are 1.5 projects, which should merge into one project. We collaborate on other efforts, and the differences are relatively small.
TL;DR I believe that OT/OC are 1.5 projects, which should merge into one project. We collaborate on other efforts, and the differences are relatively small.
In more detail: Personally, I feel the projects are very similar, with a shared goal of promoting tracing and monitoring by creating standard tools and interfaces for people to use.
I observe that the projects have a very similar pedigree and mental model - but with slightly different focuses, based on how the projects originated.
Normally, multiple projects would be fine. Postgres and MySQL can exist as separate projects; multiple tracing implementations can comfortably co-exist.
However, in this case, the way the projects overlap is creating a sense of drama and animosity which is harmful to the observability community overall.
It feels especially bad on twitter, where people whom I like and enjoy collaborating with end up feeling like I’m attacking them, and I feel like they are attacking me.
I hate how this paranoia-inducing place can turn anyone into the boogieman. Peering at the world through a Twitter-shaped lens is like the opposite of donning rose-colored glasses.
And it’s all so unnecessary! I would prefer to live in a world that’s more like the one I physically inhabit, where’s it’s clear that we are just nerds in pursuit of a common goal.
The best solution, in my humble opinion, would be to merge the two projects. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The technical differences are not worth the interference pattern.
There are important details, but they are narrow enough in scope that with commitment I absolutely believe we could solve them, to the benefit of everyone.
The overall goal – “help all software become self-describing” – is greater in importance than any one project. We have seen a lot of success and usage, and will continue to do so! But it helps no one to have what are viewed as competing standards.
In the meantime, I’m going to keep working on OpenTracing; making it as friendly, useful, and comprehensible as a project can be.
I believe that collaboration on observability initiatives is important, and I care deeply about bringing people together to solve real technical problems. I’m always happy to discuss clarify my opinions; if you have any questions or concerns, please ask! The door is always open.
