Stephen J. Turnbull writes:
 > What's _different_ about software?

Low up-front capital investment -- you can get a very usable computer
for less than the cost of a junker car.  Low training costs -- anyone
with the gumption can try to learn how to program.  No government
interference -- anyone can write programs, but very few can experiment
with drugs.  Extremely wide problem domain -- any procedure which can
be thought of can be turned into an algorithm.  Give the appropriate
programming language, sensors and controls to a farmer, and he'll be
inventing patentable algorithms in a few days.

But hmmm... if it's that easy, why aren't there more free software
businesses?  :)

-- 
-russ nelson <nelson@crynwr.com>  http://russnelson.com
Crynwr sells support for free software  | PGPok | Government schools are so
521 Pleasant Valley Rd. | +1 315 268 1925 voice | bad that any rank amateur
Potsdam, NY 13676-3213  | +1 315 268 9201 FAX   | can outdo them. Homeschool!