Although I haven't written much about it yet, there's a reason "open source" is one of the categories here on The Classic Liberal Blog. While too many people and/or industries continue to focus on old (though often "tried and true") business models, even as their results continue to get worse and worse ... open source is quietly changing the economics of our time.
This of course, doesn't mean that the common sense wisdom of economics, most notably Austrian economics, is changing. But it does mean that how individuals and/or companies interact and exchange with one another IS changing.
One of the goals of this blog is to get it off the ground and reasonably profitable with little to no money. So far, the only financial investment I've made is the 15 bucks per month I pay for hosting. And you can get it even cheaper than that!
Sometimes when you visit, you see things have changed. This is because sometimes I learn something new, and also ... because sometimes I think I've learned something, but it didn't work out as planned. Today, for example, I made a number of changes to speed up the load time of the blog, however, it messed up the format on the sidebar.
What happened? I have no idea, but I'll figure it out. You see ... I've used all open source software to build the site. The software is offered free, and it also allows me to make the changes to it I want. And the best part is, that somewhere on the internet, someone is providing the necessary instructions and/or code that will help me accomplish what I desire.
Also, as I sit here typing on my 4-year old Dell, I use the Ubuntu Linux-based operating system (OS), which again, cost me nothing out of pocket. I simply downloaded it from their website, burnt it to a disk, and through an incredibly simple set-up process, installed it on my computer.
Ubuntu is easier to use, a lot faster, and significantly more capable than Microsoft Windows, which would have cost me $179.99 (or more). And all those registry problems and viruses us regular, non-technical people have to deal with all the time in Windows ... no more! In about 5 months now using Ubuntu, I haven't had a single problem (that wasn't simple to solve), nor a single virus (and I don't even run a firewall). Maybe I should.
Why am I telling you this?
Well ... to point out the obvious - times are changing. And whether you wish to participate or not, things will continue to change.
Today, a person can take some online computer courses from home that can propel their career faster and smarter than a traditional 4-year college degree. Just a couple people with basic computers and internet access can be as productive as a huge corporation could just 10 years ago.
Instead of mass producing bland products, people are expressing more creativity and individuality. Think about blogs as an example ... They're individual, with individual points of view. Websites, while very technical indeed, are becoming more unique and artistic. And information ... the amount of information available to us today is not only mind-boggling, it just keeps on growing!
Today, thanks to the advent of open source, it's easier and cheaper to become an entrepreneur, easier to work cooperatively with other people, easier to work without compromising your own unique self, faster and simpler to learn new skills, and ... it's slowly knocking down the giant corporations.
Just take a look at the music industry. CD sales keep slipping each year, and what are they doing about it? Are they embracing new technologies, adapting to new business models, and artistically improving their product?
Nope. Instead of more unique products, they've tightened their grip on the old formulas, thereby creating ever blander products. They fight new technologies and sue file sharers (is this really the best use of their capital?). Then of course ... they play the victim ... not willing to accept that practically anyone can burn their own CD at home for about a nickel.
Copyright infringement isn't the problem facing the music industry ... production and distribution channels are what's ailing them. The business model they once had an exclusive hold on, has become a commodity.
Anyways ... For yourself, your children, and your grandchildren ... accept and embrace the profound changes taking place. While certain "fundamentals" will always remain true, the tools and ways we work within those fundamentals are changing.
And when you stop and think about, contrary to the mainstream media's mantra about the death of the free market ... that open source exists, and is growing, only solidifies the importance and reality of free markets!
Besides ... you don't want to be a Luddite, do you?
Thanks for some new ideas. Will put them to good use.