Are Gales of Creative Destruction Beginning to Blow in the Software Sector?
Abstract
Recently the long and uninterrupted growth of market share of Microsoft in the server markethas come to an end. The market arrival of ‘free/libre and open source software” (FLOSS) is responsible for this dramatic change. This paper examines the peculiarityof “free/libre and open source software” and the reasons for its dramatic market climb,with particular reference to the government sector-a sector where FLOSS has made important advances. The discussion includes a review of arguments against and infavour of the new software in public administrations, including its relation to the State’s mission of public good. A final section before the conclusions provides an overview of policy and use of FLOSS in national, city and regional government.
