The linux kernel cost millions to develop if you consider the value of the programming talent required to get it to its current state. However, that talent was provided by thousands of people who had the time and talent to offer. There was, arguably, some opportunity costs incurred, but not major out-of-pocket outlays.
Hard to build a jetliner without some major out-of-pocket outlays.
There is a clue in the current world of Open Source goodness:
Wonderful, complex software, pffft for hardware.
That'll change some as 3d printers do more and more of the work, but Open Source seems to work best when:
1. There are common elements that do not confer competitive advantage -- like operating systems -- and cost savings leverages work on other components.
and/or
2. Enough people with skills, interest, and resources exist to make it happen -- a la the GIMP and the original Firefox web browser
That "resources" angle is a biggie. Whether its a fab, autoclave, test rigs, etc, most of us don't have the kind of resources to do the things a jetliner requires. Heck -- most of us don't have any actual need for a jetliner.
Open source is great for a lot of things. Probably good for lots of the things that go into a jetliner. The plane itself?
Yup, yup, yup.
The linux kernel cost millions to develop if you consider the value of the programming talent required to get it to its current state. However, that talent was provided by thousands of people who had the time and talent to offer. There was, arguably, some opportunity costs incurred, but not major out-of-pocket outlays.
Hard to build a jetliner without some major out-of-pocket outlays.