Open Source and Libertarianism
Published by Yazad Jal August 12th, 2003 in LibertarianNice piece on how open source software has strong free market and libertarian vibes. A balanced and mature opinion, without any clutter of tech jargon.
I believe open source software development is driven by neither foolish, altruistic programmers, who could be using the time they spend giving away their source code making money working for a major software firm, nor communist revolutionaries who believe the sale of software is wrong in principle. The people behind major open source software projects like Linux and FreeBSD are actually a loosely-knit international team of freedom-loving (and potentially libertarian-minded) individuals who believe the open source development model not only produces the best code around but also helps firms and individuals sever dependence on large software firms like Microsoft, in an increasingly technologically-dependent world.