Open Source capitalists

Michael Perelman michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
Mon Aug 27 20:22:46 PDT 2001


Phoo, what. The tryout phenomenon is widely accepted. I know all about zero marginal cost and the like. I was talking about something else.

On Mon, Aug 27, 2001 at 10:56:19PM -0400, Max Sawicky wrote:
> Phoo. Isn't it obvious? The marginal cost of
> providing finished code is zero. Anyone who
> uses it does not reduce its utility to others--
> sometimes the opposite (i.e., user groups).
> And it's hard to prevent its dissemination.
> Code is a public good.
>
> mbs
>
>
>
> In part, the open source movement reminds me of students setting
> internships. You work for nothing, in part, for some very good reasons, but
> also as a form of a tryout for commercial employment. If you develop a good
> reputation within the open source movement, you have an entree to a good job
> in the commercial sector.
> Michael Perelman
>

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

Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu



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