Open Source: The Copying

I just read an odd article from Joel on Software on different types of software I'm kind of ambivalent about his point in the article (I hyperLinked my way into it from the Coding Horror blog which is really excellent). I was only inspired to write when I read this off-hand comment:

As a result geographically dispersed teams [Open Source software has] done far better at cloning existing software where little or no design is required.

Immediately the open-source advocate in me sprang into action with a mighty, "That can't be true". Which began a rather heated debate... with myself.

This debate resolved itself into two points, one interesting the other not so much. The not so interesting point (because I know you're curious) is:

• Most commercial software has done nothing better than cloning existing software, heck Microsoft has been cloning itself for years. Hah! How's that for a witty rebuttal.

The second, more "reason for the blog", point:

• Open Source software centers itself around a need. Normally one person's need. That need has to be communicated to others enough to make them feel the need.

So it's no wonder some of the first collective needs are software they see but can't have. I say "can't have" as a recent college escapee who was so happy that Open Office and Gimp prevented me from writing my papers in Notepad. No, before you ask, I couldn't afford to pay those payed employees at Microsoft with my college "salary".

Given this train of thought I'm excited to see what comes from open source next. Because what they'll seek next are things they WANT. I imagine the works coming from Open Source will be a honed nugget (remember they have to communicate the need to others) of desire made into reality. As an added bonus there is no incentive to do extra, because that will just take longer. A single desire formed whole as software, perfect.

I'm not saying I'm expecting the sourceforge help wanted boards to suddenly be filled with anything other than "Good Programmer wanted for totally new amazing MMoRPG". But when a programmer finds a desire for something real, he can build it in this open source vehicle, and as he distills the idea and gets others on board a unique focused software will emerge.

I compare this to the drivel of things the megacorp thinks you might like all packaged in one easy to pay for package and it is no wonder I'm nearly completely an Open Source shop.