Re: Mixed Source (Was RE: Code donations for RPGUI initiative)

[Kelly Cookson <KCookson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I don't think "original developer" means the person who actually wrote the code. I think original developer means vendor. 

Their point is keeping software proprietary is the better strategy if a vendor wants to capture value (i.e., make big profits). Making software open source is the better strategy if a vendor wants to create value (i.e., making a product that users really like).  

I'll definitely check out the chapter you recommended.

Thanks,
Kelly

-----Original Message-----
From: web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Thorbjoern Ravn Andersen
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 12:46 PM
To: Web Enabling the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: Re: [WEB400] Mixed Source (Was RE: Code donations for RPGUI initiative)

Kelly Cookson skrev:
> I came across an interesting article that discusses mixed source--the attempt to find business models that mix open source and proprietary software\services.
>   
This sentence in the executive summary "Proprietary software, on the 
other hand, results in superior value capture because the intellectual 
property remains under the control of the original developer. " shows to 
me that those who wrote the article ... ehm, how shall I put it ... has 
not fully done their homework.

I'd be happy to give my thoughts.  Just for the record, I personally 
believe strongly that _using_ open source software allows us to create 
better software.  It is up to the decision makers whether we should also 
_write_ open source software.

I would suggest you think a bit over what it is you want to do, and 
_WHY_ as that decides a lot of your options.

To give you food for thought I would suggest you read this chapter from 
Eric Raymond about various ways to make money anyway from Open Source 
software.

http://catb.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/magic-cauldron/ar01s09.html

Here are the headings:

Loss-Leader/Market Positioner
Widget Frosting
Give Away the Recipe, Open a Restaurant
Accessorizing
Free the Future, Sell the Present
Free the Software, Sell the Brand
Free the Software, Sell the Content