Will open-source prevail?

[HeroOfPellinor]

Do you think that, in the long run, open-source will prevail over profit-structured software development? I've been thinking about this a lot lately and haven't come to any conclusion. I'd like to hear what you think about this.

 

[Praetor]

I honestly don't think so. The fact that it is free will eventually undermine it, IMO. As devoted and intelligent as the contributers to the Open Source movement are, they still need to put food on their plates. Unless the goverment decides to start subsidizing their work, I don't think it'll overtake the world as some think it should.

 

[singh]

No, but it will always be there; just like it always has been.

 

[manly]

Commercially, no.

But software-wise independent of profit, yes it's arguably already succeeded and while I can't predict the long-term future, open-source software is still growing at a steady clip. The major marketplace where there's the most to gain or lose is overseas. MS already owns U.S. IT managers who don't mind bending over and grabbing their ankles in homage.

 

[StageLeft]

No it sux.

 

[iamwiz82]

honestly, what companies wants to NOT make a profit?

 

[ElFenix]

maybe overseas if MS doesn't lower its prices there and piracy is enforced.

 

[yakko]

It will not really sucede wimply because so many people seem to think it shoul be free. A company can only run so long with no profit before it goes under.

 

[hoihtah]

i hope so...

i'd like to keep my softwares as legit as possible.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

It will not really sucede wimply because so many people seem to think it shoul be free. A company can only run so long with no profit before it goes under.

But open-source is not a company. It's a community. People volunteer their time, for whatever reason, to make the product better for everyone.

 

[BillGates]

I know one thing .. Linux is never going to enjoy widespread acceptance and distribution until it is made more intuitive for beginners and intermediate users... Christ, changing the resolution is a ridiculous process and changing refresh rates is even worse. Finding and managing files is a pain as well.

I'm not saying they should just make clones of Windows, but until they make everything as simple as MS has, it's going to live out its life with advanced users and that's about it.