[dpritchett]

Exactly! Compare the Linux kernel project (globally distributed, world-class devs) to a team of undergrads working in the same room.

Maybe face to face has higher communications bandwidth, but it doesn't automatically win in every scenario.

[x0x0]

except the kernel now has strong interfaces between subsystems I think, which aids collaboration by decreasing required communications and making changes more local. Small companies working on a single product lack these.