Open Source does not win by being cheaper

Post by 38 » Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 2:24 AM UTC

tadfisher wrote: post #85

38 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> That tension seems to inevitably lead to obvious features missing or functionality/knowledge that's needed to operate at any scale coistered away as closed source so the sponsoring entity can make some money. I dont think this is a problem at all. I maintain a small module, and have had many feature requests and support requests over the years. Until I am making enough money to pay my rent, I dont feel one bit guil…

With all due respect, your model as described is different: the way I read it is that you're charging for work, not charging for a product incorporating your work. The same tension doesn't exist, because you don't have an incentive to paywall a feature; if someone pays you, everyone benefits. Forgive me if I'm off-base with my interpretation of your comment.

Post by Joel_Mckay » Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 2:26 AM UTC

RajT88 wrote: post #91

Joel_Mckay wrote: post #87

Counterargument: Linux is on most servers, smart phones, and information appliances. Primarily because its scaling cost is near $0/host, and some users feed useful resources back into the digital karma pool. If the goal is to share an opensource project as widely as possible, than most will sell associated services to generate support revenue. Some operate as a nonprofit entity to offer tax breaks on supported projec…

I had a beer milkshake once on Cannery Row. It could have been worse. (Also better)

Post by jorlow » Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 2:32 AM UTC

ignoramous wrote: post #45

> What is a transparency problem? It’s when a solution being closed source creates distrust between the client and vendor. Eterprises don't care that much about code. And if they do, business continuity clauses may alleviate most of their closed source concerns. After all, how many financial firms switched to OpenOffice Calc from Excel? > She argues that Amplitude is pretty expensive, particularly prohibitive for som…

Post by danans » Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 2:38 AM UTC

reverius42 wrote: post #81

PaulDavisThe1st wrote: post #50

"Profit" is a strange and ambiguous term here. I've been running an open source, libre project for closing in on 24 years now, and generating revenue from it for about 17 years. There's never been any "profit", but there has been revenue. I regard profit as what's left of the revenue after you pay the people who work on the project and any expenses, which is the way most corporations and accountants would view it. Th…

Are you in the US? Do you report that revenue as personal income on your taxes? If yes, then I think it’s fair to call it profit (since you’re also presumably deducting expenses).

Post by carapace » Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 3:06 AM UTC