Can open source make money?

[piersk]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/4407742.stm

I've often thought about starting a company that is based on open source software, write the software and then sell software that includes the OS software in there, like smoothwall (http://www.smoothwall.org) (this is the commercial side (http://www.smoothwall.net)) or seel support etc for the product.

Has anyone thought of doing something like this?

[Elizabeth]

I definitely think it can, look at SugarCRM (http://www.sugarcrm.com/crm/) for one. I think some companies are willing to pay for open source software because of the peace of mind that they have someone to call/blame if something goes wrong. I think it also somehow validates to the powers that be that it is a "safe" app (obviously that's not always the case and there are plenty of "safe" apps that are free) - but you know how management thinks. If it costs a lot, then it must be good, right? That whole "you get what you pay for" mentality.

[goldbug]

Sell support for said open source offering.... like MySQL :D

[justsomeone]

You don't even need to write the Open Source software to get into the business of supporting it :)

If you could get yourself some seed funding and some good experts together, get a solid business plan, get enough customers together at the right price, you could set up your own services company supporting someone else's products.

I know of companies that specialise in supporting MySQL for example. You can call them in to suggest ways in which your MySQL could be running faster, more securely, etc etc... they're experts in some of the darker configuration paramters for MySQL, and are also very informed about *nix sys admin, so that they can suggest Operating System tunings which MySQL could take advantage to perfrom better, etc etc

If you're looking to launch your own software as open source and hope to sell support services - you'd better have at least one of:

- an instant smash-hit "must have" application for the corporate sector
- deep pockets so that you can afford to wait for your userbase to build up to start earning its living
- a good development team (either inhouse, or in the broader community)
- sufficient staff to provide 24/7 cover to your entire user base

[Jason Batten]

I've thought about that sort of thing, my best friend and I were planning it. Using a system, providing it as a service, monthly payments... the figures looked great! The idea is floating around on my pc somewhere with logos and all.

[vaaaska]

I still believe the job of the future are Personal Editors and Stylists for online stuff (blogs for starters).

There are opportunities. My little cms, still struggling to see the light (because I don't have time), has recently brought a whole mess of things to me - some rather complex projects. Problem is...I'm a little burned out on coding. Not sure what 2006 wants to be yet. I should fire myself and hire people more interested in accounting.

[gardnc]

Many of us have been at this for twenty (or, heck, even forty) years and are still npt burned out. You should get with some of us and see where your vision can take you!

Sorry, I guess this is a blatant ad - ain't it?

LArry

[Jason Batten]

Sounds like an advertisement for a cult for programmers...

Join us... see the light... he is coming!

*screams

[vaaaska]

A friend of mine, an artist, the other day told me that he believes that the open source movement is a great thing. Sort of like artists, people are focusing upon specific problems and finding ways to solve/approach them.

I think if you can identify a problem (a gap in the market), and you can fulfill an implied promise to solve the problem, then you have the ability start something. Where things go wrong, I believe, is when the group feels they need to solve all problem in all gaps.

And more importantly, gaining confidence of the folks you work with in the process will be the sure way you can continue further down the road.

In ten years from now, alot of folks are going to retire and many companies (including small ones) will become much more tech savvy as the new kids start to enter the job market(generation y) - I think this will be a boon to open source as well.