On Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at 18:33:09 (-0700) Michael Perelman writes: >I don't know how we switched from open source to outsourcing, but I find >the concern about outsourcing quite interesting. For decades, >manufacturing workers suffered the brunt of outsourcing. I saw little >interest in the media regarding the plight of these workers. Now that >better educated, more skilled workers are vulnerable, the subject is >becoming popular.
I initially made the connection between the two. Long-term investment by companies like IBM in supporting open-source allows them to more easily outsource down the road, when the knowledge has spread. There is no question that open-source software is a vehicle for spreading knowledge rapidly at very low cost, and there is no reason for large patrons like IBM not to see this and take advantage of it. I agree that there has been a tad more interest in the media. But for the most part, programmers are very poorly organized, haven't gone through the necessary steps to shield them from the market, as has, say, the AMA. This bodes poorly for those who make their living coding. Any attempt to create the superstructure that the AMA has would be met with fierce resistance, I'm sure. Bill
