Woebot
Well-known member
The mechanics of todays computer economy are incredibly curious.
Isnt it strange the way Google is a free service? Isnt it essentially weird that you can download browsers like Firefox (even Internet Explorer!!!) for free? Why would a company like Skype offer a completely free telephone service?
Obviously the answer is that they all make money through what amount to quite tiny spin-off operations that given the scale of their operations roll into multi-billion dollar sums. But where does this leave normal online business? Does it mean the amount of giant companies shrinks? Are these companies ever going to turn tail and start charging?
Are there any arguments for this kind of business model as being some post-capitalist utopia?
Isnt it strange the way Google is a free service? Isnt it essentially weird that you can download browsers like Firefox (even Internet Explorer!!!) for free? Why would a company like Skype offer a completely free telephone service?
Obviously the answer is that they all make money through what amount to quite tiny spin-off operations that given the scale of their operations roll into multi-billion dollar sums. But where does this leave normal online business? Does it mean the amount of giant companies shrinks? Are these companies ever going to turn tail and start charging?
Are there any arguments for this kind of business model as being some post-capitalist utopia?