Re: Sadly... this is the beginning of the end
The creation of a common global infrastructure with no dominant controlling* entity is more likely to result in a stand-off where they all continue to push their code into linux as now and benefit from the volunteer effort as well. Any attempt to take control (by any single big player) would create a temporary alliance of convenience to stop them.
Of course, this doesn't preclude a cartel from forming.
*Linus has remained in the driving seat only by consent of the developers and not getting into commerical competition with the big players.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
