Sun Keeps Rising on Google Talk

"Strap on your seatbelts. Volume and value are about to speak," Schwartz wrote, referring to his theory that volume begets value. Evidence of this theory comes in the form of the free software movement, Schwartz argues, saying that its volume is derived from its price, and its value from innovation.

"The first thing the Internet did was allow companies to bypass Microsoft's legendary distribution power," Schwartz wrote. "From community services to dinner reservations, no one can possibly doubt the immense volume and value of innovation delivered through a browser."

As a result, Schwartz said, if forced to give up one -- an Internet browser or all of their desktop software -- people would choose their software without a blink.