Open Source

Business

The Open Source Business Model

The open source business model is the concept of

establishing a profitable business based on the

principles of open source software.

But I don't think that's where the social and political issues arise.

Those arise where the computers are visible to the user as

computers.,We can load software into them. We have thus the

possibility of sharing and, changing software. And then it

becomes a significant question whether we are allowed to do so

or whether we are blocked from doing so.-Richard Stallman

What is open Source

The right to fork is inherent in the fundamental software freedoms common to all open source software. A new fork in development does not start from scratch, but continues to build on the resources of the project available up until the time of the fork. -http://www.usemod.com/cgi-bin/mb.pl?RightToFork

Open source means that the source code of a program is readily available to the

public and that it can and is encouraged to be changed to better the software.

In this sense, developers from different companies and organizations can come

together and add new features to a program that the companies collectivity want.

The whole idea behind open source is that the developers will put their changes

or patches back into the community so everyone can benefit, or to “fork” and

create new open source projects (eg. Debian Linux into Ubuntu!)

Open source initiative

There are many open source companies out there doing great stuff.

But how do they make any money?

How do they gain a user base with all the FUD going around.

Why is this business model so smart?

Free software alone does not produce any

revenue.

So, many open source companies give the

option to buy with added support.

Along with advertisements on their website,

many users will donate to keep their favorite

programs of operating systems up and running.

“There is nothing wrong with wanting pay for work, or seeking to maximize one's

income, as long as one does not use means that are destructive.”

Richard Stallman

Why buy?“Because we've found that an open environment is not only the best way

to build technology, but the best way to spur innovation across our

industry.”-?

“That's where Red Hat comes in. We deploy, integrate, update, manage,

train, support. Just as we do for companies like Amazon.com, Credit

Suisse First Boston, DreamWorks, Reuters, Lehman Brothers. When

companies look to Linux, they look to us. We make Linux predictable.”

–Redhat

Thanks to Mr. Gates, we now know that an open Internet with protocols anyone can implement is communism; it was set up by that famous communist agent, the US Department of Defense. -Richard Stallman

Microsoft spreads a lot of Fear Uncertainty and

Doubt about open source, saying that their

software is better because you pay for it.

One way open source companies get past FUD

is case studies that they will publish in news

journals and on slashdot!!

Another FUD busting tactic is to spread facts

about themselves compared to Microsoft.

Smarter that Microsoft.

Some may argue that Microsoft has some of the

smartest and most devious business tactics.

But open source has something they don't

Free developers! The community develops and

tests a lot of the software and the company

does not have to pay them a dime.

and they have a license that almost guarantees

the developers to give their changes back.

Vista vs Ubuntu

Rupert Goodwins stated in a Zdnet article he wrote that he chooses to do most of his work in Ubuntu.

Rupert goodwins has 7 computers and one of those seven has a huge spy-ware application on it called Vista.Three have XP(Vista's little brother), two have Ubuntu 7.10( the newest edition) and the last one uses an older version of Ubuntu 6.06.

“...My XP systems...My Ubuntu boxes, I love...”-Rupert Goodwins

He says that ubuntu was a very stable OS and that everything worked right and it even detected the Zdnet

printer without trouble

“Then there's the work Ubuntu computer, on which I do just about everything when I'm in the office” Rupert Goodwins

Wal-Mart Endorsing Open Source?

Wal-mart has started Selling PC's that feature the

open source OS, Linux(Ubuntu). Wal-mart has

never sold any open source products, until now

they have sold “big-brand” computers which

used Windows. The new computers are going

for less than $200 and are sporting a custom

version of Ubuntu specially sold at Wal-Mart.

What is the TC502 gPC?

A pc that supports a custom version of Linux's

Ubuntu operating system for under $200.

Tech Specs include 1.5 ghz cpu, 512mb of

RAM, 80gb of hard drive with DVD burner, and

using Open Office. Is small hardware snugged

in a large case to appeal to Wal-Mart

customers.

Mandriva beats Microsoft

Nigeria has used mandriva, an open source

linux distribution for it's schools computers.

Microsoft got to the company providing the

computers (Technology Support Center) and

somehow plans to wipe the Linux boxes and

replace them with XP surfaced.

But open source prevailed when the

government squashed these plans.

Open source learning

The victory for open source in Nigeria will

produce a better understanding of open source

and free software.

As well as exposure of open source to the

children and teachers using the computers.

This will hopefully bring forth a new generation

of open source supporters.

you tube time.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is threatening

Linux users with IP lawsuits.

Saying that Red Hat violates some of

Microsoft's ridiculous software patents, and IP

restrictions.

Red hat's “Open Source Assurance is an

intellectual property warranty, a promise by Red

Hat to replace its software if there is an

intellectual property issue”.

“Fighting patents one by one will never eliminate the danger of software patents, any more than swatting mosquitoes will eliminate malaria.”

- Richard Stallman

Why doesn't Microsoft reveal which patents are

being violated?

Why doesn't Microsoft go ahead and sue the

pants of of Linux?

Why doesn't the CIS 197 class create a bot net

and crash Microsoft's servers