Re: Way OT: Adam Smith and Software Markets

[Preben Randhol <randhol+news@pvv.org>]

Frank J. Lhota wrote:
> "Preben Randhol" <randhol+news@pvv.org> wrote in message
> news:slrnb69j5t.13o.randhol+news@kiuk0152.chembio.ntnu.no...
>> What has really happened the last say 5 years in software?
> 
> Off the top of my head, I'd say XML, SOAP and the rise of Linux. Not a bad 5
> years.

Linux started 12 years ago and isn't exactly a product of the software
industry as such. Besides it is a reinvention (more or less) of the 30
year old UNIX. However that IBM and others are playing this card now
is one thing. As to XML I find it to be more hype than buzz and IMHO it
is something which is quite banal. A similar invention in another more
mature industry would probably not been considered a step forward. It is
not easy to compare one industry to another. You can look at industries
like off-shore oil drilling and see how much has happend there the last
30 years, quite a lot actually. Or the fish farming industry the last 10
years. The bio industry etc... The reason why software is considered to
have changed so much is that it has made a huge impact on the lives of
many people, IMHO. But I still have problem seeing that a lot of brand
new things are happening.

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