Re: [OT] Re: Troll Tech [was Re: Sco vs. IBM]

Werner Almesberger (wa@almesberger.net)
Sun, 22 Jun 2003 23:00:52 -0300


Scott Robert Ladd wrote:
> Most "free" software exists to scratch an itch; if the programmer stops
> scratching, users are out-of-luck. Unless, of course, they hire someone
> like you or me to maintain or update an abandoned program... ;)

Yes, but that's precisely the point. Free software doesn't replace
the specialists, but it strenghtens their position to help you, and
it enables more people to become such specialists that help
themselves or others.

When deciding which product to use, its long-term viability plays a
role in both worlds. Open Source does not imply a guarantee that a
product will be useful forever, but if your company-wide integrated
IT solution comes from dead-now.com, you're out of luck too, no
matter how much you paid them, or what glowing promises they made
in the contract.

- Werner

-- 
  _________________________________________________________________________
 / Werner Almesberger, Buenos Aires, Argentina         wa@almesberger.net /
/_http://www.almesberger.net/____________________________________________/
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