Open source software (or "free software," as the GNU GPL puts it) is meant to be shared and changed freely. According to ESR, the success of Linux lies in the fact that people can see the source code and change it as they wish. This is the "bazaar" method of coding—an active, public way of testing and adding code. On the other side of the coin, the "cathedral" method involves a few people focusing on the project from start to finish. The bazaar method makes sense because it makes people an active part of the project. Their voices are heard and their ideas are considered.
This leads to another upside in and of itself. "Linus's Law" states that the more eyes there are, the easier the bugs are to find and remove. This, too, makes sense: having multiple people see the code is more efficient than reading thousands of lines of code by yourself. Plus, it allows multiple viewpoints, which help remove even more bugs and redundancies.
ESR's experience with free software makes the concept more valid. In 1996, he began an open source program of his own: rewriting a company's ISP. Following Linus Torvalds's strategy, he released the code frequently and relied on his beta-testers. As he learned, it's the ultimate quality control: people contribute ideas and suggestions before the program goes to production so that there are fewer issues after. Another upside is that his experience was successful: it assures that the phenomenon called Linux wasn't just a stroke of luck.
"Cathedral and the Bazaar" is significant because it's based on common sense. ESR says that open source allows people to contribute to projects they care about. It lets people become an invaluable part of the project. But as one of his critics (named Lawrence) pointed out, people won't always pitch in. This, too, is common sense: not all bazaar-style projects share the same amount of support as Linux did. The motivation for any project—whether open source or corporate, large or small—has to be there.
Still, "Cathedral and the Bazaar" makes a case that's sure to motivate anyone to consider open source seriously. The common sense, logic, and history in his essays conclude that open source works. At times, though, it's hard to determine where the bragging stops and the optimism toward open source begins. Often, his tone is high-and-mighty, especially when he talks about his initial disbelief with Linux. But once you get past the ego and evaluate the content of the essays, "Cathedral and the Bazaar" truly shines.
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Works Cited:
1. "The Cathedral and the Bazaar" by Eric S. Raymond.
2. GNU General Public License.
3. "Thoughts about Bazaars."
