"languages are defined in large part by their communities"
For the longest time, Clean wasn't open sourced. These days, the chances of a non open source language gathering a strong community around it is hard (except maybe for Microsoft languages), and even when a community forms, it is likely to remain small. I for one, would never put my time in to a community around a closed source language.
"I for one, would never put my time in to a community around a closed source language."
I for two. With open source, one knows one's contribution is going to help others, will be another small push of momentum, and generally just all-round contribute to the virtuous cycle of this language is good because lots of people help becuase the language is good, etc.
Closed source? You've got to be kidding. Whatever it is, they can do it themselves.
I don't think that Microsoft is an exception to that, actually. C# didn't really start gaining popularity until AFTER ECMA ratified it as an open standard (same for the .NET platform and the CLR).
For the longest time, Clean wasn't open sourced. These days, the chances of a non open source language gathering a strong community around it is hard (except maybe for Microsoft languages), and even when a community forms, it is likely to remain small. I for one, would never put my time in to a community around a closed source language.