Democrats Tap Open Source

[Gerald Combs]

Curt Box wrote:
> 
> This is the model I would refer to as capitalistic.. The "Lets make the best 
> product possible, using the best technique possible, that assures that we can 
> further our corporate interests and increase our monopolistic stranglehold on 
> the worlds information systems even if a bi-product of our approach causes a
> censorship or derailment of superior technologies."
> 
> The model that attempts to provide the best product possible, using the best 
> technique possible, AND allows anyone to download it at no charge fails my 
> definition of capitalistic and is remarkably similar to your lets share 
> everything model.

You're focusing on the viewpoint of the software producer.  If Swingline
charges $750 a seat for a "stapler license", that's great for Swingline
(and their investors) but it adds overhead for everyone else.  If
someone comes out with $5 staplers then companies can put that extra
$745/seat to better use.

Many traditional software makers enjoy high margins.  From the market's
perspective this is an inefficiency that should be eliminated.  Open
source is one way to do that.  It may suck for those few software
companies in the long run, but it's great for the rest of the economy.