Philosophy and economics of Ubuntu

[Mark Shuttleworth]

I'm investing in open source software now because I believe it 
represents a new and more powerful way of developing software, and am 
optimistic that I can find sustainable opportunities inside that 
newly-shaped industry if I participate in the process. And having used 
open source software for a decade behind the scenes, I have watched it 
mature to the point that I believe the time is right to make a push for 
open source on every desktop.

There's a more philosophical slant to my interest than the immediate 
opportunity it presents. Very simply, I believe that open source 
software is a first glimpse of new economic forces that will have a 
significant impact on all sectors of the global economy over the next 30 
years. Open source software is the first manifestation of "collaborative 
competition" empowered by the internet. It happened first in the 
software industry because code is relatively easy to diff, patch and 
merge. But other industries, starting with the publishing industry, are 
going to find themselves rocked by this same underlying force. The 
recording industry, motion picture industry, and then service 
industries, will see similar effects.

Hold onto your hats, I think this is going to be a fun ride.

Rudi von Staden wrote:

>I'm busy downloading Ubuntu and am really impressed with what I'm
>hearing so far. Being South African, I'm also glad that Mark
>Shuttleworth is backing it! I've been trying to convince several of my
>economically oriented friends that this is a significant step towards
>Linux becoming a viable option in the desktop market, especially
>within the private sector. Their response is that Open Source will
>never succeed in the long term because there is no financial incentive
>for the developers/investors. I don't want to clog the list with
>philosophical debates on Open Source, but I am curious about why Mark
>Shuttleworth would invest in Ubuntu - is it purely benevolent or is it
>intended to return a profit in the future?
>
>Thanks,
>Rudi
>
>  
>

-- 
Ubuntu! Building a Desktop OS for the 21st century. www.ubuntulinux.org
http://www.markshuttleworth.com/