Open Source Software – Catalyst for Innovation

Open source software is not built simply on a desire to circumvent the market dominance of large software companies like Microsoft; it is built on the same culture of innovation and development which gave birth to and continues to drive the internet. Though commercial interests and open source development are far from incompatible, the open source market also shows an immense potential for growth – a potential that serves a catalyst for innovation.

Although critics charge that the open source movement is a threat to the principles of a capitalist economy, such an argument is, at best, a twisting of the facts. Contrary to popular misconception, open source projects are not wholly decentralized, nebulous endeavors held together by loose threads. In reality, any given open source project is typically headed up and supported by a small group of dedicated developers. Outside this inner circle is a larger group of dedicated users, who provide the testing and feedback needed by developers, and often decide to join the developers’ ranks as well. The very outer layer consists of the large user base, the members of which are also free to move ‘inward,’ should they ever have the intention and know-how to do so.

In other words, open source succeeds not because of an enormous developer base, but from an enormous base from which developers can emerge. Think of it as a high school orchestra. A school with a large student body is more likely to produce a top-class orchestra – not because every student contributes something to the orchestra, but because there is a larger pool from which talented musicians can be selected.

As far as capitalism is concerned, any student of economics can tell you that the core of capitalism is competition. From this point of view, large proprietary companies stifle competition, approach monopoly, and are, in fact, the antithesis of capitalism and innovation. While such a characterization is obviously extreme, the core point is undoubtedly valid.

To learn more open source software and how it can work for you, contact the open source fundraising software developers at MPower today by calling 800.562.5150.