Re: [OT] Re: The problem with not owning the software

On Sun, 5 Jan 2025 03:25:55 +0000, Sn!pe wrote:

Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
 

On Sun, 5 Jan 2025 01:50:21 +0000, Sn!pe wrote:
 

There is far more to computing for the vast majority of users than
the ability to run open-source.  Get real!
>

The reality is, just about the entire computing ecosystem nowadays is
crucially dependent on open source at some point. There is no longer
any getting away from it. It underlies everything.
>

Maybe so, but ... the users (those 99% of
people who use their computers as tools not toys) neither need to know
that nor do they care about it.

Open Source is like the car with a bonnet you can open. Most users never
look under the bonnet of their car. So why not sell cars with sealed
bonnets?

Because a car with a bonnet that can be opened can be serviced by any
competent mechanic -- you don’t have to take your car back to the
manufacturer for everything. Imagine how expensive car maintenance would
be if the original manufacturer had a monopoly on it--and how much more
likely they would be to tell you that it is unfixable and must be
replaced, just because they would rather sell you a new model. It is free-
market competition that keeps prices down, and gives you such a choice of
market products.

Open Source brings free-market competition to the software industry.