MinIO Repository Readme Updated: Maintenance Mode Clarified and Links Fixed

The MinIO repository readme has been updated to clarify the project's maintenance status and fix several broken links. The changes, committed as 7aac2a2, reduce the file size by removing redundant information while making the project's current state more explicit.

Maintenance Mode Made Clearer

The most significant change is the replacement of the "Maintenance Mode" section with a more direct statement at the top of the readme. The new format uses a markdown note block to clearly state: "THIS REPOSITORY IS NO LONGER MAINTAINED." This direct approach leaves no ambiguity about the project's status, which was previously buried in the text.

Updated Alternative Recommendations

The readme now recommends two AIStor alternatives with clearer descriptions:

• AIStor Free — Full-featured, standalone edition for community use (free license)
• AIStor Enterprise — Distributed edition with commercial support

These recommendations replace the previous list that included a link to a blog post about subscription tiers. The new format provides direct links to the download and pricing pages, making it easier for users to find alternatives.

Technical Fixes and Improvements

Several technical issues were addressed in the update:

Broken Link Fixed

The Slack channel link was corrected from https//slack.min.io to https://slack.min.io, fixing a missing colon in the protocol specification.

Typo Corrections

• "liabilites" was corrected to "liabilities" in the AGPLv3 disclaimer
• "GOARCh" was corrected to "GOARCH" in the build instructions example

Content Streamlining

The update removes 13 lines while adding only 10, streamlining the readme by eliminating:

• The detailed "Maintenance Mode" section
• The link to the subscription tiers blog post
• Redundant explanatory text

The remaining content focuses on essential information about building from source, running MinIO, and the legal disclaimers under AGPLv3.

Project Context

This update reflects MinIO's transition from its original open-source project to the commercial AIStor product line. The repository remains available for reference and building from source, but users are directed toward the actively maintained AIStor alternatives for production use.

The changes suggest MinIO is taking a more direct approach to communicating the project's status, reducing confusion for new users who might otherwise attempt to use a project that is no longer actively maintained.

For developers still interested in the MinIO codebase, the repository remains accessible for building from source, with instructions preserved in the updated readme. However, the emphasis is clearly on transitioning to AIStor for both community and enterprise use cases.