The ability to make contributions to improving hardware and software is important. Perhaps I want my MP3 player to support a new audio codec, or to display a la

The ability to make contributions to improving hardware and software is important. Perhaps I want my MP3 player to support a new audio codec, or to display a large clock, or to track my steps when I go for a walk - you get the point. When it's open source, I'm able to make these changes, or use the work of others.