Roy Schestowitz wrote:
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> Code alteration isn't what open source is about
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> ,----[ Quote ]
> | Many vendors are jumping on the open source bandwagon and trying to make
> | a 'quick buck' out of an emerging trend. Skewed versions of the
> | definition of open source can largely be attributed to these vendors and
> | it is recommended that companies seek out only certified and reputable
> | open source vendors.
> |
> | Open source technology is by nature practical and pristine. Reputable
> | vendors will not boast that their software and hardware have new and
> | sexy features; they will not use alterable code as a selling point or
> | claim to be absolutely ?free?.
> |
> | Open source can only be considered to be so if it has a strong open
> | source community backing. Anything less is something else entirely.
The clash of cultures originates in deep down gut feel business
training and experiences. Its hard for anyone to donante anything
for free when they know it can be used against them.
The GPL doesn't allow that. When code is released, it cannot be
used against you in the strong business sense of the word.
It cannot be canned and shipped in a foreign alien competitor product
without them releasing the code and you getting those improvements
and insights back. So the benefit of GPL'd code is to enhance your
own treasure box if you originated the code, and use it to improve
your own product.
At the same time, if a competitor had used your code, all they
have done is expand the market to which you can inject your
new and improved products into. For new products with a multitude
of features, others building up the market is important matter for you
because there is not enough time for you to build up a marketing,
distribution, and product awareness customer base on your own.
Same old business argument of one bird in your hand is worth
more than two in a bush in an expanded context because the world has become
through the internet a fast paced where your potential
audience that is going to puchase your product has less and less
attention span and time to look at your product in preference
to more exciting attention drawing (and completely DIFFERENT) products.
What better than letting someone else build the market, and
you going in there and taking a sip of it.
>
> http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/industryinsight/opensource
vanstaden090526.asp?S=Open%20Source&A=LIN&O=FPII
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