Open Source software and the knowledge economy: virtually free and virtually immeasurable

Abstract

One of the most striking innovations to emerge with full vigour in the late 1990's, but building on earlier precedent, is Open Source software. While there are good technical reasons for releasing the source code of computer programs to anyone connected to the Internet, or willing to spend little more than the cost of a bottle of beer on a CDROM, the trend profoundly affects the measurement of research and technological development expenditure and investment. Since the software tools are not priced, knowledge, the practice of winning new knowledge, and the style in which new knowledge is won are sharply focused.