[goldstategop]

Open source allows innovation because everyone can contribute to making software work and run better. Every programmer has access to the software's kernel information. Patches and de-bugging can be done in record time. In contrast, closed source software like Microsoft inherently problematic because it relies on proprietary technology and no one knows what problems there are with code apart from those within Microsoft. The result is it takes a long time to discover flaws and bugs in the software. That's where Linux has a decided advantage.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Golden Eagle]

Proprietary software is still hugely dominant in all markets, even though it has a significant cost. Oracle in fact charges extreme fees, but many people pay them instead of using cheap open source knockoffs from Europe like MySQL because Oracle is far and away a better product. Nor is Oracle planning on giving their advantages away for free, they wouldn’t be in the position they’re in if they ever had.