The Lifecycle of Software Technology

THE CARE AND FEEDING OF FOSS
(or, The Lifecycle of Software Technology)

Craig James
http://www.moonviewscientific.com/essays/software_lifecycle.htm

Contents:

     * Introduction
     * The Software Lifecycle
     * A Step Back: Other Industries
     * Free Open-Source Automobiles?
     * More about the Maturity Stage: The Cathedral and the Bazaar
     * The Error of Hard-Core FOSS Advocates
     * The Error of Commercial Enterprises
     * Linux: Another Look at the Software Lifecycle
     * Commerce in a FOSS World
     * Concluding Remarks
     * Acknowledgments

... There is a natural "lifecycle" to software technology, which
includes both commercial periods and FOSS periods. Those who understand
this pattern can work with it and thrive. Those who don't understand the
pattern, or who choose to fight it, are in for a lot of frustration.

Free Open-Source Automobiles?
Did you ever sign a license agreement that banned you from
reverse-engineering your car? No. It's the difference between
information and bricks: Information costs essentially zero to copy, ...

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Received on Sun Jan 2 21:50:36 2005