Some links I found recently, after a long and lively debate I had with a co-developer about the economics of open source software. I was for open source, and my colleague was for closed source. He basically was arguing that open source fundamentally can't be sold (i.e., there is no business there, and open source will die out). I was arguing that there is a business model there somewhere.
Looking back, after reading the links below, I admit that some of my arguments were flawed. We were both right, and both wrong. There is a business in open source software, but it's not necessarily in selling the end product.
It's about adding value. ESR points out that software is "largely a service industry operating under the persistent but unfounded delusion that it is a manufacturing industry," which I can agree with.
Links:
- Open Source-onomics: Examining Some pseudo-economic arguments about Open Source
- The Manufacturing Delusion, and Reasons for Closing Source from The Magic Cauldron by Eric S. Raymond
Previously: No Subject