OSS History

Open Source Software History

Open Source Software (OSS) development is a shining example of the new era.  The cutthroat and monopolistic business practices with which companies like Microsoft have eliminated their competition and controlled certain spaces have proven ineffective to stop it as open source operating systems, databases, web browsers and development tools erode their market share.  Ten years ago, most people would not have believed that groups of loosely affiliated programmers who are sharing their code openly and have no recognizable business model could produce more stable, more innovative and more efficient products than the corporate giants.  Many still cannot see it, but there are irresistible forces afoot.