News: The commoditization of software if expectations are created that software isn't something upon which consumers, business or otherwise, should spend much money, then that lowers the value of software, which by extension lowers the value of the programmers who make it...I'll grant that customizing software isn't as simple as buying a wider coat, but I reject the notion that companies will spend MORE on customization (or even maintain former budgets) simply because they paid less for the base cost of software. More likely, expectations of software cost will be adjusted downwards, resulting in downward pressure on developer salaries (which is happening) and a greater incentive to sublet customization to the lowest-cost location....

Comment: lots of good thinking in this artcile, now what do we do about it.