Microsoft learns to live with open source

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"inflexible"

Which can be faster on a major change to software, Microsoft or an open source project?

In general, a large number of experienced full time people working on a project under established management can work faster than an adhoc group of comparatively few people.

However many people feel connected to open source, those making substantial contributions on any given project are comparatively few.


This came up awhile ago in a discussion of software quality. The argument was that open source came to market far more slowly, but that the extra time taken produced a better quality product.

Even if that were true, and it's not my topic here, companies have shown that they're willing to pay substantial money for first-to-market products, even knowing how likely they are to be flawed.


So, in the sense of first to market with elaborate software that ties well to a range of other products from the same stable, I'd say Microsoft was more flexible.


You wrote:
But if you need anything out of the hum-drum ordinary, MS is just too inflexible. There's the MS way, there are MS solutions, and if your problem doesn't fit the MS paradigm, you're out of luck.

In the sense that no group of Microsoft employees is going to set out to create an alternate product that provides functions in a different way, you're right.
But in terms of changing quickly in response to ideas, Microsoft leads.

Remarkable for such a large, old, established company.

Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 07/11/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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