Open Source Learning Curves

Tim Fennell, author of The Stripes Framework, makes some excellent observations on Open Source Software learning curves in this post on his Blog:


Flat Learning Curves: Powerful


As with anything, Tim's observations hold true in some cases and not in others. More often than not, Tim's observations hold true when a company develops OS software and sells support. In this case, market forces drive the company not to develop good documentation or user-friendly features. In fact, some companies even sell the documentation which may still be insufficient simply because selling support is the only way they make money.

I could name names, but I won't. Most Java developers know the culprits.