When Free Software Isn't (Practically) Superior

I think the article makes a good point. Most comments complain about some technicalities, like using the word "open source software development" vs. "open source software", or mention that "no it isn't inferior!" (which is true, but not the point). A few months after meeting me, my girlfriend wanted to try a Linux system and I was happy to help her install it. In the end she didn't see what I thought was better about it. I thought I never…

I stopped trying to debate open vs. closed software in a business setting long ago. There is a time and place for both, and rational actors will evaluate the tradeoffs given their circumstances. When people start believing that open source software is inherently superior in every situation, or that ideological purity is the most important consideration, they aren't making decisions in the best interest of the company. Engineers are especially prone to overestimating the downside risks of using closed source…