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IMO, even more important: open APIs and freemium.

Among the strongest selling points of open source were:

- The ability to extend software easily.

- Freedom to share software with anyone.

Nowadays, almost every web app comes with a developer friendly API that let's you extend its functionality. Furthermore, most web apps adopt a freemium model which means no initial cost (unlike open source which frequently requires technical skills and/or a server).

IMO, open source will continue to thrive in the realm of developer tools and libraries but will slowly decline in the realm of consumer apps.

As a side note, it doesn't help that RMS is completely nuts. (Disclosure: writing this from Ubuntu)



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