Open Source Software = Big Money?

The readings this week were very interesting and varied. Outsourcing has been a hot topic in just about any management area. I had seriously considered writing about service-oriented-architecture for my issues paper. Understanding the needs of your team is important for meeting the goals of any project, and creating the right environment for software developers can lead to more successful projects.

I was really intrigued by the open source software information. I've heard a lot about Linux and OpenOffice, but I've never really used them. I've downloaded the occasional open source program for specific needs, such as using GIMP to make a logo for my wiki (www.ambientlibrarian.org). I knew that Red Hat made money off of distributing Linux, but I had no idea how many other companies have money-making ventures related to open source software. I knew about the value-added aspect of open source. I understood that to be providing a service related to the software, like Red Hat making it easier to install Linux. However, I thought that anything that was added to the source of the software had to remain free and open. I was surprised to read that Sun could base StarOffice on OpenOffice and then charge for it.

I wasn't as surprised to learn that some companies support open source not so much for open source's sake, but to undermine their competition. I guess business makes strange bedfellows. In 1982, who would have thought that IBM would be promoting the free stuff?

It's very exciting that open source software is now being recognized as a viable option for business and government operations. I had long heard that Linux was more reliable than Windows. I know that my own impression, however, was that we wouldn't see open source productivity software in our offices because it wasn't as reliable, usable, or supported. However, reading the Fitzgerald article, I realize that it's probably more usable in some ways that a Microsoft product. For example, it sounds like many open source programs are meant to be cross-platform. That might allow the users in your company to enjoy some of their own preferences (Apple vs. Mac) rather than being tied down to what everyone else in the organization has. As far as support goes, it sounds like that's one of the new business opportunities created by open source software.