In the first half of the 1980s software became more recognized. Personal computers changed nature from a hobbyist's toy to an office worker's tool. The IBM PC and Lotus 1-2-3 played important roles in this transition.
"The Third Wave" is an important book. It predicted that the border between producer and consumer would become less distinct giving rise to what the author calls the "prosumer." Microsoft's policy strictly distinguishes between producer and consumer while free software allows users to participate in programming. As such Microsoft adheres to the older model. Early on, when few people understood the newer model it was very successful. Note also that Microsoft never put much effort in direct sales of operating systems. The operating system came with the computer. Production and sales of computer hardware is a typical industrial age activity: the biggest firms enjoy scale merit and succeed. In the information age diversity rather than uniformity is important: those who cater well to the needs of the individual succeed. To that end the consumer is invited to participate in the production and a framework is set up to make that possible. _______________________________________________ libreplanet-discuss mailing list [email protected] https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
