[SLL] Arguments against unknown process of open-source: Where is Eric Raymond?

[Max]

--- Brett Serkez <bserkez at gmail.com> wrote:

> >  In a situation I am finding myself facing frequently these days (how's that
> > for euphemistic subtlety?) I commonly hear the argument that open source,
> > and particularly firefox, doesn't get QA attention in a formalized process
> > which can be reasonably recognized from a business perspective,
> 
> Open Source doesn't have the same financial backing, incentives or
> deadlines as paid software.  What it does have are passionate
> developers who are almost always users of the software (their
> motivation) and likely to do a better job during development and more
> likely to find issues as they continually use the software.
> 
> You could say that proprietary software needs metrics to insure
> quality as hired guns might not even use the software they are
> developing, how else would those paying their salaries know if they
> are getting their money's worth?
> 
> Are Open Source end-users willing to pay for metrics?  The Open Source
> model is that of a community, use it or not, do your own support or
> pay for services such as support, metrics collection, and so on.
> 
> I would propose that the answer to your question is that those using
> Open Source need to understand the different models and cannot compare
> apples and oranges.
> 
> Brett
> 
+1


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