Archive of UserLand's first discussion group, started October 5, 1998.
Re: Open Source Dictatorships
Author: Jeremy Bowers Posted: 8/13/1999; 8:18:06 AM Topic: Re: Open Source Dictatorships Msg #: 9456 Prev/Next: 9455 / 9457
Simple answer to Dave's question: It's still a bazaar because you get to choose which dictorship's products you want to use, or choose which dictatorship you want to work under (which tends not to be true for real-world dictatorships).As with any one-sentance answer to a potentially complicated question, that may leave a bit out and blur the edges a bit.
Other random thoughts:
- "Dictatorships" are a practical necessity. Without strong leadership, the product will usually/always fall apart if/when it becomes large.
- You always have the option of a dictatorship (code) fork. But since people vote with their feet, and inertia is a strong non-force, not many people will follow. The choice is there, and real, though, which is importent.
- The bazaar is real; the dictatorships are just one booth. (In other words, we're talking things on the size of a single vendor, not a government).
After all, it's just a metaphor. It doesn't have to carry the strongly negative connotations it does in the real world.
Look for Microsoft to pick up on this... just kidding. If Linux kernal development is a dictatorship, what does that make Microsoft? An Orwellian, 1984 society?
There are responses to this message:
- Re: Open Source Dictatorships, Dave Winer, 8/13/1999; 8:40:54 AM
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