Are Contentious Debates Derailing FOSS?

"In the midst of all the din, however, a small, clear voice rang out with an idea we here at LinuxInsider couldn't resist picking up and examining a little more closely.

"Specifically, it came from blogger rm42 on the "An alien's viewpoint," articulated in a post called "Discouraging FOSS." Essentially, the post suggests that debates such as the very one we're embroiled in now have the potential to distract and derail the community, to FOSS's detriment.

""It is clear that the more people are interested and able to improve and maintain the FOSS pool, the more Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Apple Store Discount on Office 2008 for Mac - Home and Student Edition . Click here. More about Microsoft will find it hard to continue having success in the market," rm42 wrote. "In other words, the only hope for Microsoft to contain Linux is to remove the desire for people to continue contributing to it."

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