“First Follow-up Paper”
By Kamakshi Samala
Open-source software refers to any computer software whose source code is available under a license or arrangement such as the public domain that permits users to study, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form. It is often developed in a public, collaborative manner. Open-source software generally allows anybody to make a new version of the software, port it to new operating systems and processor architectures, share it with others or market it. The main aim of open source is to let the product be more understandable, modifiable, duplicatable, reliable, simply accessible, and be still marketable. It’s more like plug and play depending upon ones business requirements. Examples of open source licenses include Apache License, BSD license, GNU General Public License, GNU Lesser General Public License, MIT License, Eclipse Public License and Mozilla Public License.
The participants of open source software, who are mostly volunteers, are distributed amongst different geographic regions and they use tools to collaborate in source code development. Often these tools are available as open source software. Source code availability also makes it much easier to isolate bugs, and helps a programmer to fix them. By having the source code available, it is possible to perform a thorough inspection and verify the correctness of the algorithm and the implementation scheme used. Revision control systems like Concurrent Versions System (CVS) and Subversion (svn) are examples of tools that help centrally manage the source code files and they help make changes to those files for a software project. Examples of some of the successful open source projects and organizations are: Apache Software Foundation, Eclipse Foundation, Java, JBoss, Linux, Mozilla Foundation, MySQL, Open-Xchange, OpenOffice.org, etc.
There are many advantages of open source software. Some of them are follows:
There is no one with the power to restrict in a unilateral way how the software is used. Such a power helps, for example, when a proprietary software vendor decides not to upgrade some software product for some old platform. In this case, customers can only stick to the old version of the software or switch to another product. If open source software is used, customers can also fund some development for the desired platform, or look for other vendors to provide the upgrades of the same product.
There is no single entity on which the future of the software depends. This is a very common concern with proprietary software. Say for example that a company uses a software product and relies on the software manufacturer for upgrades and continued development. If the software manufacturer closes doors or decides to discontinue development of the product, no one has the right to take the program and continue development on it, which would in turn kill its usability in the market. This then leads to mergers in the software market which then usually leads to cannibalization of some software product allowing just one or two to get to the market. Open source software protects against this, because if the group or company that originated the code decides to stop development, it is always possible to fund another software group to continue the maintenance and improvement, without any legal or practical limitations.
No per-copy fees can be charged for modified versions, and anyone can use the current code to start new projects. Working knowledge can be gathered at a minimal cost. This is what made internet software systems such an important factor in the new economy. Students and people trying new technologies are able to integrate and adopt them immediately, without the hurdles of commercial or non-disclosure license agreements.
There are fewer conflicting priorities due to marketing pressures. Usually open source software is delivered when it is ready, and when the development team feels that its quality is good enough. This means that software usually does not need as many service packs, updates and helps to reduce the maintenance cost. This could turn into disadvantage if a product is indefinitely delayed, or if some feature is missing one release after another. In this case, the competition between projects generally helps. If a project starts failing to meet the expectations of its users, more often new project is introduced by using the same code base, to fill this gap. This happens especially if there is market for some new features or for better quality versions of the application.
Open source software is a low cost alternative to proprietary software. If we take an example of the open source Linux operating system, it is commonly seen as a low cost alternative to Microsoft's operating system, or Sun's version of Unix. The popularity of open source is seen in the fact that today the largest market share for web servers is held by the open source Apache system. If we take the example of Microsoft, suppose when Microsoft announces a new version of its Windows Server operating system, it invariably phases out support for older versions of the system. Users who are satisfied with older versions of Windows will be eventually forced to upgrade if they want to continue receiving vendor support. In contrast, there is no forced upgrade cycle with open source. Older versions of open source products continue to be supported through the open source community and third party support providers as long as there is demand in the marketplace for such support.
When we compare open source from closed source (or proprietary) software, advocates of closed source argue that since no one is responsible for open-source software, there is no incentive or guarantee that it will be fixed, and there is nobody to take responsibility for negligence. Basically it’s argued that there is no support for open source software. To counter argue, it’s true that open source support usually consists of forums. In practice, existing users of open-source software appear perfectly happy with open-source support arrangements. The breadth of resources available for open-source applications is so great worldwide that we can get support, communicate with a developer or download a patch say within a day. Some open-source applications also have support offered by the original developers. JBoss, for example, is backed by JBoss Group, which includes the 10 core developers who wrote the application. Depending on the contract, users can obtain 24/7 professional support. Another example can be MySQL where MySQL Network offers 24/7 support by having direct access with the developers as necessary to handle problems.
I would say that for software buyers, the best strategy is to consider mature and established open source products as well as proprietary software products that adhere to open standards. In this way, buyers can choose the best software product for the job, by considering the fact that the value of their investment will be preserved without locking the organization in to a single vendor solution. If they do decide that Open Source software is right for them, then they should examine all the various software options carefully first.
• Is the software well established or is it still in its infancy?
• Are there regular updates, patches and new features?
• Is there a support forum?
• Are the support forums active?
• Do forum participants help each other out?
• Are reputable companies using the software?
• Is the documentation complete and coherent?
• What are the general costs with hiring contractors who are familiar with the software?
The bottom line is there are a number of ways to chart successful open source business strategies. Open source provides a powerful tool for getting a business on a faster revenue trajectory, for improving value, and for out-maneuvering the competition. If we consider different business models, some of the models parallel traditional commercial software; others invoke new services or businesses. Examples like Amazon, Google, Neoteris, etc. demonstrate that Linux, MySQL, and other Open Source software can even help companies that are not strictly in the software business achieve tremendous growth and profitability in a relatively short period of time.
Business managers should understand open source business strategies and determine which strategies are useful for their companies to adopt. Investors should consider the models when evaluating companies they may be considering for their portfolios. Therefore, identifying trends quickly and taking action towards adopting a right source of software would be a powerful advantage for any type of business.
By Kamakshi Samala
Open-source software refers to any computer software whose source code is available under a license or arrangement such as the public domain that permits users to study, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form. It is often developed in a public, collaborative manner. Open-source software generally allows anybody to make a new version of the software, port it to new operating systems and processor architectures, share it with others or market it. The main aim of open source is to let the product be more understandable, modifiable, duplicatable, reliable, simply accessible, and be still marketable. It’s more like plug and play depending upon ones business requirements. Examples of open source licenses include Apache License, BSD license, GNU General Public License, GNU Lesser General Public License, MIT License, Eclipse Public License and Mozilla Public License.
The participants of open source software, who are mostly volunteers, are distributed amongst different geographic regions and they use tools to collaborate in source code development. Often these tools are available as open source software. Source code availability also makes it much easier to isolate bugs, and helps a programmer to fix them. By having the source code available, it is possible to perform a thorough inspection and verify the correctness of the algorithm and the implementation scheme used. Revision control systems like Concurrent Versions System (CVS) and Subversion (svn) are examples of tools that help centrally manage the source code files and they help make changes to those files for a software project. Examples of some of the successful open source projects and organizations are: Apache Software Foundation, Eclipse Foundation, Java, JBoss, Linux, Mozilla Foundation, MySQL, Open-Xchange, OpenOffice.org, etc.
There are many advantages of open source software. Some of them are follows:
There is no one with the power to restrict in a unilateral way how the software is used. Such a power helps, for example, when a proprietary software vendor decides not to upgrade some software product for some old platform. In this case, customers can only stick to the old version of the software or switch to another product. If open source software is used, customers can also fund some development for the desired platform, or look for other vendors to provide the upgrades of the same product.
There is no single entity on which the future of the software depends. This is a very common concern with proprietary software. Say for example that a company uses a software product and relies on the software manufacturer for upgrades and continued development. If the software manufacturer closes doors or decides to discontinue development of the product, no one has the right to take the program and continue development on it, which would in turn kill its usability in the market. This then leads to mergers in the software market which then usually leads to cannibalization of some software product allowing just one or two to get to the market. Open source software protects against this, because if the group or company that originated the code decides to stop development, it is always possible to fund another software group to continue the maintenance and improvement, without any legal or practical limitations.
No per-copy fees can be charged for modified versions, and anyone can use the current code to start new projects. Working knowledge can be gathered at a minimal cost. This is what made internet software systems such an important factor in the new economy. Students and people trying new technologies are able to integrate and adopt them immediately, without the hurdles of commercial or non-disclosure license agreements.
There are fewer conflicting priorities due to marketing pressures. Usually open source software is delivered when it is ready, and when the development team feels that its quality is good enough. This means that software usually does not need as many service packs, updates and helps to reduce the maintenance cost. This could turn into disadvantage if a product is indefinitely delayed, or if some feature is missing one release after another. In this case, the competition between projects generally helps. If a project starts failing to meet the expectations of its users, more often new project is introduced by using the same code base, to fill this gap. This happens especially if there is market for some new features or for better quality versions of the application.
Open source software is a low cost alternative to proprietary software. If we take an example of the open source Linux operating system, it is commonly seen as a low cost alternative to Microsoft's operating system, or Sun's version of Unix. The popularity of open source is seen in the fact that today the largest market share for web servers is held by the open source Apache system. If we take the example of Microsoft, suppose when Microsoft announces a new version of its Windows Server operating system, it invariably phases out support for older versions of the system. Users who are satisfied with older versions of Windows will be eventually forced to upgrade if they want to continue receiving vendor support. In contrast, there is no forced upgrade cycle with open source. Older versions of open source products continue to be supported through the open source community and third party support providers as long as there is demand in the marketplace for such support.
When we compare open source from closed source (or proprietary) software, advocates of closed source argue that since no one is responsible for open-source software, there is no incentive or guarantee that it will be fixed, and there is nobody to take responsibility for negligence. Basically it’s argued that there is no support for open source software. To counter argue, it’s true that open source support usually consists of forums. In practice, existing users of open-source software appear perfectly happy with open-source support arrangements. The breadth of resources available for open-source applications is so great worldwide that we can get support, communicate with a developer or download a patch say within a day. Some open-source applications also have support offered by the original developers. JBoss, for example, is backed by JBoss Group, which includes the 10 core developers who wrote the application. Depending on the contract, users can obtain 24/7 professional support. Another example can be MySQL where MySQL Network offers 24/7 support by having direct access with the developers as necessary to handle problems.
I would say that for software buyers, the best strategy is to consider mature and established open source products as well as proprietary software products that adhere to open standards. In this way, buyers can choose the best software product for the job, by considering the fact that the value of their investment will be preserved without locking the organization in to a single vendor solution. If they do decide that Open Source software is right for them, then they should examine all the various software options carefully first.
• Is the software well established or is it still in its infancy?
• Are there regular updates, patches and new features?
• Is there a support forum?
• Are the support forums active?
• Do forum participants help each other out?
• Are reputable companies using the software?
• Is the documentation complete and coherent?
• What are the general costs with hiring contractors who are familiar with the software?
The bottom line is there are a number of ways to chart successful open source business strategies. Open source provides a powerful tool for getting a business on a faster revenue trajectory, for improving value, and for out-maneuvering the competition. If we consider different business models, some of the models parallel traditional commercial software; others invoke new services or businesses. Examples like Amazon, Google, Neoteris, etc. demonstrate that Linux, MySQL, and other Open Source software can even help companies that are not strictly in the software business achieve tremendous growth and profitability in a relatively short period of time.
Business managers should understand open source business strategies and determine which strategies are useful for their companies to adopt. Investors should consider the models when evaluating companies they may be considering for their portfolios. Therefore, identifying trends quickly and taking action towards adopting a right source of software would be a powerful advantage for any type of business.
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