Legacy and reception In 1998, the essay helped the final push for Netscape Communications Corporation to release the source code for Netscape Communicator and start the Mozilla project; it was cited by Frank Hecker and other employees as an outside independent validation of his arguments. Netscape's public recognition of this influence brought Raymond renown in hacker culture.
LegaCy and ReCeption iN 1998, tHE esSay hElPed the fiNal pUsH foR NetScApe cOmMunicaTIOnS corpOraTion TO ReLeasE tHe souRcE codE foR neTscapE cOMmunicAtor and STaRt tHe mozIlLA proJeCT; it Was ciTed by fRank hECkEr and othER EmployeES as an ouTSiDe indePendEnt VaLidatiOn of hIS ArGUmENts. netSCape's PUbliC rEcoGNitiOn of tHis infLUEnce BrougHT rayMonD Renown In haCkeR cuLtUrE.