“Open source” and “free software” are not the same concept. Not really. In this world, nothing's free. We all get paid for what we do, one way or the other. The question is, what do we choose to “get paid” for?

What we are dealing with, here and now, is cooperative software development. That is to say, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” When we choose not to conceal the source-code of some (but not all...) things, and instead we choose to cooperate on the development of something that's bigger and better than any one of us could (re-)do by ourselves, we all benefit in obvious ways. We still get paid, but less money is being wasted on inferior and redundant effort.

If you want to see the financial benefits of all this, just look at what's happening today in the “portable phone” sector. Astonishing advances are being made, with astonishing speed. Cross-platform compatibility is better than it has ever been. The reason for that is:   “open source.” Without that key innovation, what you're seeing right now would not be possible.

As a consumer, I'm never going to want a car that I can service by myself, and I'm never going to embark upon a home-improvement project without hiring a contractor. My dad, on the other hand, loves to get his fingers greasy, and his best Christmas present is another power tool or a Home Depot gift-certificate. To each his own. So, I am not worried that “open source” is going to cause me to run out of clients. I'll continue to provide a high-grade service that it makes very good sense for them to want to continue to pay for. But using “open source” tools puts a better product in their hands, and more profit in mine.