Re: [ox-en] Step-change by Free Software
- From: Stefan Merten <smerten oekonux.de>
- Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 09:55:28 +0100
Hi list!
Some more thoughts on step-changes by Free Software.
The way Linux is developed has been seen as a step change by quite a
number of people. Remember the Torvalds-Tanenbaum debate for instance.
ESR described this as the "Cathedral" vs. "Bazaar" (I put the terms in
quotes because as we know they are both wrong).
I think you could even argue that a step-change is easier in Free
Software because you don't need to have huge and expensive resources
to make your idea come true. As long as you have the idea and the
(programming) abilities you can just start the project. As ESR says:
If it scratches enough itches and if your projects gives a good
promise to solve a problem then others may join in voluntarily. Linux
(i.e. the kernel) is a very good example for that. At this stage the
expensive resources - "work force" - will come to you automatically.
In a way this is a way of ensuring quality on a peer review basis. If
your idea is good enough to convince other experts in the field then -
and only then - it is done. May be it is even a good thing that you
can't coerce people by paying them into something which only you alone
think is worthwhile doing.
Mit Freien Grüßen
Stefan
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