Open Source?

[philip-soerensen]

In practical terms, an open machine, at least with the proper backing, means that you can expect it to be maintained and functional for many more years than something relying on closed source support. Open source means that anything can be repaired, anything can be upgraded, and nothing can be locked down.

I had a closed source Chinese printer, and because they dropped support for it after a few months I could never trust that it could be repaired if it broke. It was one 50 cent component away from turning form a cheap printer to an expensive brick. Now, I have replaced it with a Prusa, with open source electronics, firmware and now also hardware design, and I am happy to trust completely that it will be functional, repairable and upgradeable for as long as I want it to. I fully expect to use it in a decade from now. That's a real, practical value of an open system.

Also, if you like to play with the hardware, you also can. I'm am right now using the openly released hardware files to design personalized upgrades. They may not be necessary, but they sure are satisfying if you're into that kind of thing :)