Programming Used to Be Free
12 hours ago
- #LLMs
- #Accessibility
- #FOSS
- The rise of private LLMs like Mythos, which can find multiple 0-day vulnerabilities, sparks concern about access to powerful tools, marking a shift in mainstream discourse.
- Author's personal journey began with QBasic on an old PC, learning through trial and error without English or documentation, highlighting the accessibility of early computing tools.
- Transition to PHP and online resources like php.net and free tutorials enabled learning with minimal resources, even on outdated hardware.
- Historical context: Before FOSS, proprietary compilers and systems (e.g., Watcom C/C++ at $1000, AT&T UNIX at $10,000) were expensive, limiting hobbyists to BASIC and assembly.
- The Free Software movement provided free compilers, IDEs, and OS kernels, democratizing access and enabling open-source software to thrive.
- Accessibility relied on fully free tools, not trials, student plans, or restricted free plans, as financial barriers made even $1 costs unachievable for some.
- LLMs present new accessibility challenges: Local performance scales with computing power, often requiring GPUs or high RAM, making them unusable on average hardware.
- Closed-weight LLMs involve juggling models and paying subscriptions, with free usage limited, shifting costs to employers or individuals.
- LLM-enabled programming may become industry standard but risks being less accessible than past approaches, potentially regressing to a plutocratic era like the 1970s.
- Concerns include economical instability, FOMO, fast pacing, and vendor lock-in, making new practices intractable outside institutions, excluding those with limited resources.