On Sun, 2014-09-07 at 21:08 -0400, Jean-Paul Louis wrote:

>  Very often, it is as good or better as closed source commercial
> software, but lack the paid support that commercial software use
> to make more money. But the developers keep improving it, and AFAIK,
> I will never use closed software again, but will support a product
> like kicad to the extent of my possibilities.

Being a former corporate I/T guy, I wouldn't go so far as to say 'I will
never use closed software again', I understand the advantages.  But I
don't see a situation where that will happen ;)

I see two main differences between closed and open source.

Open source developers add features people need.  Closed source
providers add features they think they can sell.  Quite often there is a
gulf between the two.

Open source software has a greater tendency to be compatible across
versions.  Incompatible versions are only released when there is a huge
need recognized by the community, and even then, someone will probably
fork the project to come up with a compatible release.  Closed source
providers will make incompatible releases in the hopes of generating
sales for the new version.

Confession: I am a Fedora contributor.

--McD


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