Open Source: A Sustainable Development Model?

     The open source model of programming has shown that high quality software doesn't need to be written by paid employees.  It is exciting that open source communities can turn out software with fewer bugs than software written by companies.  What it does show, however, is that the high-quality, open source software needs to be tested and used by programmers.  As explained in the article, some feel that all software should be written in the open source environment.  This raises a concern of sustainability.  Volunteer programmers can write software that out-paces software from companies, but these volunteers will still need to earn a salary.  It is beneficial for both programming models to work in synergy.  Programmers can use the open-source software they write to do exceptional work in their paid jobs, while doing volunteer work that benefits all programmers on off-duty time.