Adrian Midgley wrote: > > I woudn't disagree about other differences that have been described, but my > view is that the critical one is this:- > > Open Source development and publication renders it impossible for any > custodian of the source code to _prevent_ further development.
That's essentially the same as saying it provides the freedom to carry out further development under a different locus of co-ordination, where that locus may be as small as a single person, modifying code for their own particular purposes. Both formulations of the principle are useful, I think. The important thing is to dispell the myth that open source development necessarily involves consensus or democratic decision-making. But if dictators or juntas emerge, they need to command by earned respect, not coercion, because their "subjects" have the ability to pack their bags and to build Jerusalem elsewhere, and there is nothing the dictator or junta can do to stop them, which is what Adrian pointed out. Tim C
