Open Source - Why Do We Do It?

mikosullivan presents us with a unique opportuinity: "This Saturday, Sep 8, I have an appointment to meet with Congressman Rick Boucher to discuss open-source software. I made the appointment after talking to the congressman at a town-meeting here in Blacksburg, VA. During our short talk he asked a question that (not being a particularly talented public speaker) I found difficult to answer: why do open source software developers devote their time and talents to something they give away? That's the question I'd particularly like to answer: why do we do it? Answering this question may be the key to resolving public FUD about open source. This meeting is part of the opensourcelobby.org efforts."

Comments

Why do artists paint...

[nysus]

or sculpt? Why do musicians make music? Not all of them do it for the money. Sure there's a few that hit the big time, but the vast majority, even highly competent ones, struggle to make ends meet and pursue their interest because it is what they know and love.

The act of creation itself is what pays and rewards open source programmers. While programming has a much more practical side to it than the "purer" arts, it certainly isn't a hard science. You can a great sense of satisfaction from knowing that out of nothing you have forged a new tool that others can use and find useful or get enjoyment from.

Once all this hype about capitalism blows over, we will begin to realize that life isn't always about making a buck. It's also about doing stuff you really love.