Eli Cummings

"Jump-starting such a cultural change takes a fair amount of initiative and idealism, but it is worth considering. "

Whatever changes happen I am willing to bet a great deal that it won't be because of the above. At best in any situation it would be the mask hiding an alternate agenda.

This is all very instructive (article and comments). First, I am most appreciative of all the effort that has gone into the FOSS movement and I enjoy the fruits of that effort. I am not a complainer in that regard. I live by the motto, if it's broken, learn how to fix it or if not, work around it. I am not privy to the inner workings of the development community but I would think it would only be appropriate that not any Tom, Dick or Harriette should be able to throw their two cents worth in to a discussion. Contributing is a privilege not a right. Of course, that doesn't mean one is immune to the politics and egos that make up the contributing group. If everything was simply a technical matter there shouldn't be much discussion other than the trade offs involved. But then human beings are involved so it ceases to be a technical matter. Despite the countless books, seminars and academic papers on people and management and all that sort of stuff, no one has yet figured out what really works. I suspect there is no small amount of luck involved in having the right people at the right time and that is an indeterminate variable if there ever was one.

I always say not all business is good business. So maybe not all contribution is good contribution even though it is contribution. Well intentioned people can differ but if one is to achieve any sort of harmony there must be a line which when crossed is not worth the disruption no matter what the contribution is. Sometimes such lines lead to a form of elitism or clique forming and that is unfortunate. Such inbreeding however usually results in an eventual diminution of the project. The great thing about FOSS however is that there is usually a group that knows how to avoid that pitfall and move forward through forking.

Now when a company primarily controls a project, it's a bit of a different story I'm sure but I can't imagine that such a company would think their control is absolute or perpetual. One need only examine the tech landscape in a rear view mirror to see the wreckage of those who may have held such beliefs.

Meanwhile, many thanks to all the contributors out there who have made computing so much better over the decades. It wouldn't have happened without you.