Final answer:
Open source operating systems like Linux disrupted the high-tech industry's economics by breaking the monopoly of proprietary systems, reducing costs, and fostering community-based innovation and collaboration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of Open Source Operating Systems on High Tech Economics
The advent of open source operating systems such as Linux significantly altered the economics of the high-tech industry. Initially, operating systems like UNIX were more or less open but became commercialized over time. Companies such as IBM, Digital Equipment Company, and Hewlett Packard, along with Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, and Silicon Graphics, controlled the software market by offering proprietary operating systems developed from the original UNIX system. These systems often required the use of the company's hardware and could cost thousands of dollars. With the introduction of open source operating systems, a shift occurred. Open source meant that the source code was publicly accessible, allowing users and developers to modify and share the software freely. This democratization of software development enabled widespread collaboration and innovation, breaking the monopoly of proprietary systems. It reduced costs for consumers and organizations, which no longer needed to purchase expensive licenses. Moreover, it accelerated technological advancement by creating a community-based model for development where improvements and features could be shared and built upon quickly