[CS-FSLUG] NI: Libre vs. Proprietary Software

[Ed Hurst]

Don Parris wrote:
> I found this interesting article:
> 
> http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=420290&rl=1

Taking selected quotes:

"How is a free model of software development sustainable? I see lots of
commercial firms marketing open source solutions, making money on
support. However, the population of developers outside of those firms
make nothing on their work creating the code; if developers can't make a
living working to create innovative products, what's the point?"

We take many economic actions, and make many economic decisions for
other than economic reasons. Only a Marxist sees all things through the
eyes of economics. Most of the art in human history probably had little
economic value, in spite of consuming many economic resources. Libre
software approaches a form of art. Who can quantify love and
self-respect with a dollar figure? Even in law suits, such things vary
wildly.

----------------------

"With the lack of a cohesive and coordinated development and support
mechanism, why would anyone seriously consider using open source
software to run a business?"

Hey, maybe because *it works*?

----------------------

"Does Linus or any other developer contributing to the Linux kernel
directly benefit from his labors? No."

Yes, they do. See my comment about art.

---------------------

"Unfortunately, almost regardless of country of origin, individual
developers need to make money to survive..."

In the simplest terms, that's true. However, there are thousands like me
who do just fine without a steady job because there is a God in Heaven
running the show. Even without an awareness of God (as it is alleged
many developers have) there is family, friends, odd-jobs, etc. Ask
people at the economic bottom, those not crippled intellectually, and
you'll see it's not that hard to be reasonably content without so much
as $12K/year in the US, and similar situations worldwide. Ever hear of
socialism/welfare state? It's not just baby-machines using the system.


I grow weary of pointing out the obvious...

-- 
Ed Hurst
-----------
Applied Bible -- http://ed.asisaid.com/bible/index.html
Plain & Simple Computer Help -- http://ed.asisaid.com/
Plain Package blog -- http://ed.asisaid.com/blog/