Open Source software offers lessons in working toward common goals

The Boston Globe (via NewsAlert) has a column about Open Source software development and a study co-sponsored by NewsForge’s parent, OSDN. “The open-source movement stands as the antithesis to the closed, proprietary product development system that Microsoft has used to dominate the personal computer desktop worldwide. If open-source had a motto, it might be: ‘Let all who are able contribute.’ Under open-source, thousands of volunteer programmers communicate over the Internet to create, and continually improve, computer software products. Linux is their biggest success and has become so popular that some think it could evolve into a significant challenge to Microsoft.”