> So I cannot understand how the millenials expect to get their tools for free
I'm a (senior) millennial and I'm prepared to pay for tools that are worth it. However, Free (as in freedom) software has come a long way, I won't pay for tooling that is at par or less capable than, with Free software. I think the rise of GPL/Open source - GCC, Linux and Free DBs & languages (and their ecosystems) are to blame; not millennials.
Such tools already existed back then, they were called freeware and Public Domain, or came as gifts in magazine listings or tapes.
Also some people would keep on re-installing them past the demo deadline, or crack them, just to avoid paying.
But not on the scale that happens today.
Linux and GCC would not be as developed as they are if it wasn't for the companies that sell hardware and are willing to pay engineer time to improve them.
During GCC early days, most contributors were the ones not wanting to pay for the Solaris SDK, so its development was as fast as Hurd still is today.
Regarding languages, that is why commercial tools get all the nice goodies, no one can make a living of selling improved tooling to FOSS developers.
Hence why many watch a talk from Bret Viktor and are amazed of his presentations, but we already had such tools in 90's, they just had the sin of being commercial.
> Regarding languages, that is why commercial tools get all the nice goodies
I mostly don't need the "nice goodies" - which why I don't but them (and I am prepared to buy when I do, or to show support to the developer. I love JetBrains).
> no one can make a living of selling improved tooling to FOSS developers
Good thing FOSS developers can improve their own tooling; they are developers after all. Freeware and Demoware are hardly comparable to Free & Open Source Software except on price. As a developer, I am empowered when I can fix bugs in my tools and submit a pull request upstream (happened to me 3 times this year alone). What do you do if you run into a bug in Borland Turbo Pascal or QBasic? If you have the energy, submit a bug report and hope it get fixed 4 versions down the line.
I'm a (senior) millennial and I'm prepared to pay for tools that are worth it. However, Free (as in freedom) software has come a long way, I won't pay for tooling that is at par or less capable than, with Free software. I think the rise of GPL/Open source - GCC, Linux and Free DBs & languages (and their ecosystems) are to blame; not millennials.