open source is what linux is. nutch is trying to do the same type of thing with a search engine. an open source search engine would be a way to prevent global domination of a product the way linux has prevented microsoft from ruling everything. the main trouble is that the volunteers can't make a competive product.
If volunteers have sufficient resources and see the future in what they are doing they can achive amazing things. Let's not forget that most of them are more then qualified to do this kind of work. Free World Rules! :lol: