Open source Quote by Eric S. Raymond
““Part of the answer certainly lies in the fact that using software does not decrease its value. Indeed, widespread use of open-source software tends to increase its value, as users fold in their own fixes and features (code patches). In this inverse commons, the grass grows taller when it’s grazed upon.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Cathedral and the Bazaar, 1999
Open-source software gains value as users contribute improvements, creating a thriving commons.
In simple terms: More users improve it, more valuable it becomes.
Key Takeaway
Encourage collaboration to enhance software value.
Themes
collaboration
open source
value creation
Mood
optimistic
analytical
Type
technical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- software development
- community projects
- tech startups
- education
Key Concepts
economics
network effects
commons theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates you to contribute to open source?
- How can communities ensure quality while scaling?
A Different Perspective
Success depends on active, skilled contributors; may attract low-quality patches.
![“I've never felt really creative or intuitive using software. I like paper and pens and paint. I need to angle real lights on my artwork and work with my hands and build props. Computers just take all that fun out of it [animation drawing].” quote by Don Hertzfeldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/134/don-hertzfeldt-16260_angle_i-ve-never-felt-really-creative-or-intui_2968544.jpg)
