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So there's this pattern of maturity in a technology -- from proprietary to "open" -- as players in the industry resolve they can't bet their future on trusting one particular player. And so it is happening in the digital camera industry, as users and developers demand an OpenRAW standard.
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Lessig on trends: Lawrence Lessig asserts: "So there's this pattern of maturity in a technology -- from proprietary to 'open' -- as players in the industry resolve they can't bet their future on trusting one particular player." I think he may actually ... [Read More]
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Comments (4)
Thanks a lot for pointing to OpenRAW. We might should have a little chat about this if you are interested.
Thanks,
Juergen
I think this is partially true, but then there are the folks who specifically want more proprietary solutions that they can buy support for.
This is a grievance I have with PDAs too. Anyone ever tried to get a palm OS PDA to convert directly to a windows PDA? (As in, without the mediation of a desktop computer, and without beaming each of thousands of individual entries.) Or, for that matter, tried to get palm OS PDA info to open directly in an ascii editor?
Open standards generally are most effective and beneficial in markets that need interoperability with third party software, content or between users.
But this does not mean people and companies are always rational.
Without standards, a single company could win a "standards" war, force consumers to accept their standard and become a virtual monopoly (i.e. Microsoft or Adobe .PDF). Alternatively, other market participants (users or companies) balk at the offerings due to a lack of clear standards, slowing market adoption and forcing the companies to adopt a standard across vendors (i.e. CD's, DVD's).