3 ms·
Yes, there are a lot of kinds of software that are better if they're paid. The main reason being the amount of concentrated research and work that has to be don
by cplat 14y ago
Yes, there are a lot of kinds of software that are better if they're paid. The main reason being the amount of concentrated research and work that has to be done. And let's not forget copyrighted and patented technologies that can make something "non-free."
GIMP is great, but Photoshop is a killer tool. Same goes with Computer Algebra Systems and Electronics tools. These are areas where open source is yet to catch up.
However, when it comes to web servers, programming languages, databases, and any great cutting edge technology, open source just rocks. The very building blocks of most of the software today is open source. And that's marvelous.
- chii 14y agoIn other words, utility software (that is, software that has a use for a wide variety of applications such as OS, server tools and programming languages) tend to be more and more free - simply because so many people need it, that it quickly turns into a sort of commodity. Specialist software, which includes photoshop, but there are heaps of others like electronic circut design software, and geological survey software, tend to be paid for simply because no one uses it (other than the handful of profrssionals). The cost to make them can't be amortized across millions of its users.