Global Reset

I had an argument with someone earlier today about the age-old subject of open-source, democratic software versus corporate, money-driven software. I side with the capitalists and investment bankers knowing where to make the money, and hence producing the best software, though admittedly sometimes slower than their investors would like. I bowed out of the argument rather early when it became obvious that we disagreed fundamentally and he seemed to just enjoy knocking the entire idea of a corporation or any entity with a sufficient amount of money behind it. Seriously kids, don’t waste your time arguing with hippies. But, I just thought of a great counter to his “open source scratches all itches best” viewpoint… Where the hell are the open source Desktop Search apps? Relational DB filesystems (or a relational DB optional layer), with lots of indexes on various types of meta-data, are obviously the way of the future… You can’t tell me no open source guys have that itch? And with the obvious security concerns (see: Google Desktop Search), I’d think the open source mobthink squad would answer the call.

All 4 corporate solutions I have tried are beyond excellent (Copernic, Apple’s Spotlight, Google Desktop Search, and MSN Desktop search).

Note: I, myself, produce open source software everyday at my job. I’m not opposed to open source, but I know for a fact that the apps my team produces could only be better with more money behind them and only get worse with more democracy. We see it in action every day… Creative minds do better when there is a greater incentive to produce.

If someone posts a link to an open source project which does a decent job of implementing fast desktop search, I will post a picture of my foot in my own mouth.