Linux and open source software is challenging Microsoft Windows NT on networks. Linux market share grew a lot though revenue had small growth. It lowers the cost of operating systems and Microsoft is worried because it is battling Windows NT to a standstill. Programmers contribute to open source code because it helps them do their job. We should remove obstacles to information and feast on human knowledge without restriction.
Free software does that for programmers.
Netscape in 1995 let customers download software for free and started a new model that most companies use now. Hackers work on the reputation economy. What people think and do today is important, what you did yesterday is not. The music industry has changed. But in 2000 Napster made it very easy, just click on a song name and download it.