Re: [Sheflug] The Economics of Open Source Software - Prospects, Pitfalls and Politics [tbm [at] cyrius.com]

[Alan Dawson <aland [at] xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Quoting Simon Brown <simon [at] cliffestones.demon.co.uk>: 
 
The arguments seem to lead up to its final statement 
 
> > demonstrate quite clearly that the promotion of open-source software 
> > cannot be an economically justifiable role for the state. 
 
But there are probably a number of fallacious steps involved.  I guess you 
could use the similar arguments against public sector broadcasting, of course 
we should get rid of the BBC as it distorts the whole UK broadcasting economy. 
 
It seems to paint all OSS with the gnu brush, where MS themselves make use of 
OSS in their 'Services for Unix' product.   
 
Much software is a becoming utility.  I don't really care if I'm using MS 
word, OOffice or some java web applet service to type a letter, as long it 
looks mostly OK at the end of the day.  For example, the fact that I can 
insert maps into MS excel, a function so rarely used it adds no value to my 
usage of the product, and its so limply implemented that anybody who needed 
that sort of functionality would have to purchase a better solution, why not 
go with the unix philosophy of simple tools for simple task. 
 
There must be many arguments for the state providing bread and butter 
solutions to lifes needs, with those who wish fancier stuff can buy bespoke.  
Pensions, Health Care, Social security, Housing, Communications, Policing.  Of 
course software is at the bourgois end of the hierarchy of needs :-) 
 
Perhaps the other historical technological changes where the state has 
intervened could help to add perspective.  Toll roads, Sewerage, and 
Broadcasting spring to mind.  Its times like this I wish I'd stayed awake in 
history classes. 
 
AED 
--  
"The long revolution is creating small federated microsocieties, true guerilla   
 cells practising and fighting for this self-management. Effective radicality   
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