(Off Topic ) Open Source: The Model Is Broken ??

[Ed Greshko]

Tim wrote:
> On Sat, 2008-12-06 at 09:56 +0530, Rahul Tidke wrote:
>   
>> http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2008/tc20081130_276152.htm
>>
>> Any comments from Fedora community??
>>     
>
> That computer journalism is generally incompetent, way off the ball, way
> out of date, and completely beat up.  As a quick example, that article
> is about open source *business* model, not about open source.  Yet the
> title is completely bogus, in a crap attempt to stir the pot.
>   
I feel that is a bit harsh.  First of all the article does appear in
"Business Week" so I feel it should be apparent that the focus is on
"business" and not the technology or any moral precepts.  While the one
line title should have been "Open Source: The Business Model Is Broken",
maybe we can chalk that up to an editor who felt constrained to fit it
into a single line on the web page?  And even if we can't accept that,
maybe the smaller lines in the title will clue us in on what the article
is all about...oh right, I am reading "Business Week".  It is not as if
the purpose of the article is hidden.  :-)

Frankly, I am ill prepared to answer to what I think about the
questions/issues raised in the article since I am not an investor in
companies that have been trying to make (me) money utilizing this
business model.  I am also not a reader or follower of those companies
balance sheets.  Not to mention that I'd be hard pressed to serve up a
viable business plan on my own.  (Note:  I am being kind to myself.)

Yet, I wonder how may of these companies are flourishing?  And, is it
really out of line to conclude "Unless open-source providers find new
ways to add value for their customers, especially in this economic
environment, the growth of their companies is at serious risk."  Seems
to me it is almost like asking "If the Big-3 automakers in the US don't
wise up and provide the cars the world needs/wants shouldn't they
prepare to become extinct?".


-- 
I wouldn't be so paranoid if you weren't all out to get me!!

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