1970 to 1979: Computers and Software Begin Creating Wealth - The Technical and Social History of Software Engineering - page 161

The domain of open-source software has a growing number of interesting and
useful applications and a fairly sophisticated way of developing the software, re-
leasing it, and fixing bugs. Open source is by no means chaotic, but neither is it
strict and regimented.
An interesting book on the open-source movement is The Cathedral and the
Bazaar , written by Eric Raymond in 1997. This topic was subtitled Musings of
Linux and Open Source by an Accidental Revolutionary . The theme of the topic is
that conventional commercial software is built like a cathedral with careful plans
and a formal organization. Open source, on the other hand, operates like a bazaar
with scores of vendors more or less cooperating under general guidelines.
Personal Software
The 1970s would be only the beginning of applications for personal use, which
would not come to fruition until the arrival of portable computers and handheld
smart devices in future decades. However, applications such as calendar manage-
ment, word processing, and spreadsheets did arrive during this decade.
In today's world, a variety of extremely sophisticated software packages are
available. Some handheld smartphones have voice-activated commands that can
tell their owners useful information such as the names of nearby restaurants. GPS
maps are endemic and can point out optimal routes by car, bicycle, or on foot.
Among those with an interest in astronomy, star maps provide a wonderful view
of every major star, planet, and constellation in every direction, including through
the earth. Many of us no longer keep manual telephone lists or address books be-
cause our personal records are online.
If we want to buy something, our computers, tablets, or smartphones can
provide information and addresses of local stores. They can also show the com-
parative prices of specific products in local stores. If we don't need the item today,
we can buy it over the web and probably avoid paying local or state taxes.
Computers and software have made a very big impact on our personal lives and
communication styles. Many of us have many more “friends” on social networks
than we have in real life. We may spend more time texting with our real friends
than we spend in actual conversation with them.
Programming Tool Software
As software engineers or programmers became more numerous, markets appeared
for specialized tools such as debugging tools, trace tools, and interactive develop-
ment environments (IDEs).