Community as product lock-in?

Om Malik posts some thoughts from Robert Young reagrding community in product creation and the impact on company philosophy. One interesting point is how a cummunity in the end becomes its own lock-in to a product.

Hmm. Am I locked in to the products I participate in? Loyal, yes? But locked in? Perhaps, willingly.

Link: Om Malik’s Broadband Blog - Inherent Truths and Value of Community.

At the end, the lesson is one of a paradox. As the power shifts increasingly towards community, the corporation loses its grip on the traditional means of control. Yet, by letting go of control, the corporation creates an environment where the community willingly creates its own switching costs.

Read it for thoughts on what community means to product creation and product longevity. Good discussions.