Dear all,
 
thanks a lot for your comments.
 
You raise several important points. I also think that depending on a certain person maintaining a package can be dangerous, since this person might stop working on the package. Even if the package is handed over to a second one, the other guy may be less skilled and, e.g.. add errors to an excellent package. 
 
I do not think this is a real threat for the often used and mature packages on CRAN, but there might be the one or the other exception. Still, you cannot blame people doing work for free to the benefit for others, especially, if it is of such a high quality. Many thanks to all for their contributions.
 
Having access to the source code is not really a solution, unless you have the time to study, maintain and correct it. Normally this is not the case. And do not forget that also for commercial packages, like Matlab, you might have access to at least a large part of the source code.
 
Another point is that I expect commercial packages to be more coherent and concise. The parts should fit better together. In R, e.g.., I use several time series packages and classes (and I admire the people having done such marvellous jobs): Date, its, zoo. Still one for all would be far better.
 
Hiring a person doing work for us could be a good thing. Only, I do not know anyone available and tasks occur on an ongoing basis (and then pop up quite quickly, probably a general characteristic of corporate life). In-house competence is also and in addition required. Anyway, a sig list on jobs for R would be really a good thing.
 
With best regards,
Stefan Albrecht
 
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