FreeSoftwarePlatformWars

Used to be that FreeSoftware was an ideological battle.

But eventually it becomes another architecture battle fought on PlatformWarsLogic.

eg : http://www.infoconomy.com/pages/information-age/group100524.adp

I always used to say that ultimately the free vs. proprietory choice is not ours (ie. developers, suppliers) to make. Customers will eventually demand freedom as a right. They will force the ServiceStrategy on developers.

It's hard to persuade customers to switch either way from buying products to buying services or vice versa. Either way requires doing damage to the current purchasing organization or culture.

But I say it's harder to switch from buying cheaper services to buying more expensive products. Compare TheAgeOfAccess.

Is this true? How would one test or demonstrate this proposition?

Suggestions welcome ...

Contrast :

• maybe counters to be found in ConservationOfModularity

See also :

• ProductStrategy / ServiceStrategy

• ClassWarBetweenProductsAndServices