Re: [MLUG] Open Document Format in Minnesota?

["Vern Green" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

For me, widespread adoption of an open file format is a lot more important
than the success of Open Office.  I think this will do a lot to encourage
competition.

 

Excuse me for my ignorance, but I have a question.

 

How does open source encourage competition?

 

Let's assume for a moment that we all get the world we would like to live in. A world where all software is free and you only pay for supporting the product. Then the only competition comes from those that offer support. While I am sure there are some business opportunities in that area, it is by and large not as lucrative as purchasing the software. Where do developers then make their money? How does innovation take place?

 

Lets put it another way, OpenSource is an interesting notion, but most of the best innovation is coming from the closed source community. Companies like NetApp, Microsoft, Cisco and Apple to name a few, are spending tons of money on R&D to be innovative, that expenditure demands a return on investment that frankly cannot come from the OpenSource community.

 

I would be interested in hearing thoughts on this.

 

-- 
Thanks
F Vernon Green 
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