source files!
Out of context: Reply #26
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- gabe0
after years of having experienced this situation from just about every possible point of view—as an agency/vendor needing files from another vendor (on behalf of a client), as a client needing files from an independent contractor, and as an independent contractor needing to provide source files to an agency—i've found it best practice to simply deliver the source materials and wish the client the best.
in reality, the stuff we're creating on a day-to-day basis isn't rocket science. we're all using or re-using similar instances of code to achieve the same results. provided you aren't sitting on any proprietary or innovative technology, what good does it do you to hold onto your source files? it just makes everyone's lives more difficult.
in the past, i've given up source files to clients only to have them come back at a later point and ask for our help to clean up someone the mess someone else made from our original files (which they of course pay for).
worst case scenario: you never hear from them again, but you maintain the relationship and people will look to you as being someone who is generally easy to work with. it's a lot more difficult to repair a burnt bridge than it is to have never burnt it in the first place. you never know when you'll run into that person again. who knows, maybe next time you'll find yourself needing their help.