Disruptive technology

A disruptive tecnology is a way of doing something that puts traditional providers of the same service at a severe financial disadvantage, either because the newer way of providing that service is cheaper, easier, or better in some fashion. Open source software had a disruptive effect on traditional software companies beginning in the 1990's; many companies had to change their way of doing business as a result. Likewise, Voice Over IP telephony has had a severe disruptive effect on traditional "landline" telephone companies. There are many other examples which can be found in the marketplace for computer- and internet-based technologies.