Ian Lynch wrote:
> I agree that you have a lot more freedom to innovate than in a > corporate situation but you are not free to do absolutely anything you > want. Hence there are some frustrations for some people from time to > time. I'd like to add something. It's not an ammendment, it's an addition: It is dangerous to think that being open source automatically gives us more freedom to innovate than in a company. A volunteer project can be just as resistant to innovation as any company, and it can be worse. This actually goes right along the lines of what Ian said in this email. That social norm, and social contracts do exert weight. And that there are other coersive factors at play (e.g. "if I don't like you I won't give you CVS access"). I just wanted to point out that if these are used in a sufficiently bad way, they can stiffle innovation beyond the worst companies. And back to what Peter said, about having the option to go away. This also means that it takes a lot less coersion to stiffle a FOSS project, than a company. If you depend on me for food and subsistence, you will be willing to put up with more crap from me than if we're working as volunteers. Thank you for your email Ian. It was very interesting and insightful. Cheers, -- Daniel Carrera | I don't want it perfect, Join OOoAuthors today! | I want it Tuesday. http://oooauthors.org |
