It's software, as it becomes more commoditized, it won't help pay many bills in and of itself.
Products and services help pay the bills, no matter what flavor they are. You can charge for the "product" that is software, or you can use it as a loss-leader. You can also do it as well, or better as a hobbiest than as a professional. That makes the software itself much less valuable, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, as that affordability makes it easier for people who need the software to have it.
FWIW: I do INFOSEC, so Windows helps pay my bills more than the Open Source OS' that I use to do my work every day. I'm not sure that's the positive thing that you seem to paint it as.
Re:Hold your ground; don't be fooled. (Score:2)
It's software, as it becomes more commoditized, it won't help pay many bills in and of itself.
Products and services help pay the bills, no matter what flavor they are. You can charge for the "product" that is software, or you can use it as a loss-leader. You can also do it as well, or better as a hobbiest than as a professional. That makes the software itself much less valuable, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, as that affordability makes it easier for people who need the software to have it.
FWIW: I do INFOSEC, so Windows helps pay my bills more than the Open Source OS' that I use to do my work every day. I'm not sure that's the positive thing that you seem to paint it as.
Paul