Apache chairman: Days numbered for commercial software

[method77]

The days of selling software through the traditional commercial model are numbered, as open source is becoming the paradigm of choice, said Greg Stein, chairman of the Apache Software Foundation, at the EclipseCon 2006 conference on Wednesday.

Software is becoming is increasingly commoditised, Stein said during his keynote presentation, and more of it is available free and it is easy to get.

He cited the OpenOffice office automation package as an example of free software that could replace Microsoft Office.

All your software will be free

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[Malicious Intent]

Have you tried Open Office 2.0?

Last I tried was 1.1, which was very flimsy.

[DudeAsInCool]

Have you tried Open Office 2.0?

Last I tried was 1.1, which was very flimsy.

I tried WRITE. It was ok. I think people will use the best - if that means they have to pay for it, they will. But eventually, someone is gonna get pissed and make the best free program - and that's gonna happen in all kinds of applications.

[method77]

I have 2.0 for a while now and it's much cleaner than the old one but it takes a long time to start up, like 1.0 did. Perhaps a little faster but not a big improvement.

I have to admit that after using MS Office for a long time at the museum, I changed my mind about that software. It's the best office suite you can get. If you can find a free copy then ok but if you can't then Open Office is the next best. Free is always good

[Ken]

I think people will use the best - if that means they have to pay for it, they will.

Which is why I use the best, AND I don't pay for it.

It's called "being a dirty pirate".

[DudeAsInCool]

Which is why I use the best, AND I don't pay for it.

It's called "being a dirty pirate".

I hear ya, matey :P

[Ken]

There are exceptions that I make Dude.

I donate to some projects (especially useful opensource projects like SpyBot Search and Destroy, etc..). I have even purchased a license for NewsBin Pro; it's a lifetime key though, so they aren't exactly asking for one of my kidneys every 6 months or so.

It all depends on the situation, but one thing is certain: I’ll pirate Microsoft products any day of the week.