Re: Support of open-source software by business

[Michael Perelman <michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Interesting idea, but I should mention that outsourcing is not only
hitting programmers, but accountants and financial people as well.

I would disagree about the characterization of "a tad more interest".  I
am reading a new story almost every day on the subject.  I don't recall
such interest when textile workers were laid off.  More when manufacturing
workers got hit, but not nearly as much as today.

Also, today, the stories are on the business page, indicating a greater
degree of importance.  When they get to the sports page, you will know
that something is happening.

On Thu, Jul 31, 2003 at 07:35:47AM -0500, Bill Lear wrote:
>
> I initially made the connection between the two.  Long-term investment
> by companies like IBM in supporting open-source allows them to more
> easily outsource down the road, when the knowledge has spread.  There
> is no question that open-source software is a vehicle for spreading
> knowledge rapidly at very low cost, and there is no reason for large
> patrons like IBM not to see this and take advantage of it.
>
> I agree that there has been a tad more interest in the media.  But for
> the most part, programmers are very poorly organized, haven't gone
> through the necessary steps to shield them from the market, as has,
> say, the AMA.  This bodes poorly for those who make their living
> coding.  Any attempt to create the superstructure that the AMA has
> would be met with fierce resistance, I'm sure.
>
>
> Bill

--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929

Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx