[Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 124, Issue 11

[Don Wilhelm]

I have used several open-source programs on my PC.  I am a user, not a 
programmer, so I have a different perspective.
The "support" is through forums, and if you are not sufficiently skilled 
in "geek speak", there is danger that you will be flamed for asking a 
question, or you may receive an answer that is so thoroughly steeped in 
"geek speak" that it is useless for you.  Been there done that.
Besides you have to constantly monitor the forum to see if anyone has 
provided an answer to your question.

If a user has a problem with an Elecraft product and contacts Elecraft 
support, you can expect to discuss your situation with someone who is 
both responsive and knowledgeable and will work with you to resolve the 
issue or present it to engineering.  I highly suspect that would not be 
the case if the firmware were open-source.

Open-source is 'nice' for programmers who want to implement their pet 
additions, but for the majority of users, open-source is not the way to 
go IMHO.

73,
Don W3FPR

> And yet open-source software has been shown to be very successful.  Why do you
> think many corporate/government organizations are turning to it?
>
>
>> With enough eye balls looking at the code all bugs are shallow. I think
>> Elecraft could benefit from an extra 100 pair of eyes looking at the
>> problems at no cost contributing an average of 100 hours a week at it.
>> Could you imagine what kind of quagmire that could result in? A better
>> product no less!
>>
>>
>>