[NCLUG] Re: Linux World domination (was "Re: NCLUG Digest...", etc.)

[Scott Kleihege]

John Bass wrote:
 > That does not stop Microsoft (or any other large vendor) from creating a
 > de facto monopoly, where there is insignificant competition.
 >
 > Likewise, there is equal risk, that overly aggressive free software
 > advocates, with express intent to dominate all other choices, can create
 > a de facto monopoly, even with free software. Especially, when the
 > intent is to remove a consumers access to all proprietary software.

False.  There is not an equal risk that free software advocates can create a 
monopoly.  There are built-in checks and balances, such as forking, that 
would prevent a single individual or enterprise from achieving sufficient 
control over the software environment to achieve a monopoly position.  Free 
(as in freedom) software is antithetical of monopoly.

-Scott