What Was Life Like Before Open Source? - A Historical Perspective

Explore the historical context of computing before open source in this 43-minute conference talk by Dave Stokes from Percona. Gain valuable insights into the challenges faced when proprietary systems dominated the industry, including limited interoperability, vendor lock-in, and the high costs associated with hardware, software, manuals, and training. Discover how the emergence of Unix, Linux, and TCP/IP revolutionized the software landscape, leading to the open-source movement. Understand the importance of preserving open-source principles by learning from past experiences and recognizing the potential consequences of reverting to restrictive licensing models. Use this historical perspective to appreciate the benefits of open source and remain vigilant in protecting its future in the face of new challenges.