Re: software survival and progress (was Re: Sweeden & Germany to phase out nuclear power?)

From: Dan Clemmensen (dgc@cox.rr.com)
Date: Sat Mar 30 2002 - 17:26:08 MST


Samantha said:
>
> Intentional programming is extremely interesting to me. In the meantime
> a great deal could be done to reverse-engineer and refactor existing
> code (providing much more useable information about the codebase as a
> side-effect!) and to enable much higher levels of reuse and use of
> design patterns. But creating a viable tools company was very difficult
> before the meltdown. It is even more so now. So it is likely these
> developments, if they happen, will come through volunteer efforts as
> Open Source.
>

I think that open source is can tackle this, but you are perhaps too
pessimistic about VC money for this. Right after a meltdown caused
by all he VCs imitating each other and investing in 20 companies
doing the same thing, they relearn the lesson that they should
be looking for unique opportunities rather than like lemmings all
jump over the same cliff. I got funded in late 1985, just after the
last such silliness (it was hard disk drives that time.) If you have
a viable business plan, a good team, and a unique idea, you may be
able to find some smart money.

Note that not all open source is paid for by volunteers, either.
A growing number of companies are maintaining open source code when
it proves useful.



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