Roy Schestowitz wrote:
> The Success of Open Source
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
> | I believe the solution to this puzzle lies in pushing the concept of
> | nonrivalness one step further. Software in many circumstances is more
> | than simply nonrival. Operating systems like Linux in particular, and
> | most software in general, actually are subject to positive network
> | externalities. Call it a network good, or an antirival good (an awkward,
> | but nicely descriptive term). In simpler language, it means that the
> | value of a piece of software to any user increases as more people use
> | the software on their machines and in their particular settings.
> `----
>
> http://www.sauria.com/blog/2006/06/04#1519
I liked the flow of that, I don't agree with the theory entirely, but in
many ways we do seem to fit in with the conway law that he talkes about.
Linux products whether the OS or the applications, are not really
'non-rival'. There is a lot of sharing, plus a communications path, such as
with a security problem notification that gets passed round the distros at
great speed. But still although some of the distros are seperated by
target, there are enough common areas that I think most of us would say
that in the end it doesn't really matter which Linux distro you go for. But
each of the distros I'm sure would like to be top of the charts in the
distrowatch (the top ten has hardly changed over two years). It is nice
though that the rivalry is based on the quality of the product rather than
on the usual way we are used to these days, buying the soap powder that
spends the most in advertising, whether it cleans clothes or not.
Then in applications how many of each of the blog, web content and many
other popular Internet projects are vieing for users. There are some that
are for a particular area, but many that cover the same ground. Those that
end up being popular are likely to be the most usable or stable, quality
wins again.
Maybe it is hard to use the word 'rival' when there is only pride involved
rather than money.
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