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The Business Model of Ubuntu

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the making-it-better dept.

Andareed writes "Open-source software companies, such as Ubuntu (an open-source Linux distribution), are better able to respond to user request and bugs than traditional software companies, such as Microsoft. Simon Law, head of the Quality Assurance department at Ubuntu in a talk given to the UW Computer Science Club, explains why this is, and how Ubuntu is leveraging the open-source model. Simon explains how the QA department at Ubuntu differs from traditional QA departments, through its use of the open-source community at large. Most interesting is Simon's views on what motivates open-source developers to develop software, and how open-source oriented businesses (specifically Ubuntu) are making money."

2 of 254 comments (clear)

  1. Even the UW Math majors laughed at the CSC nerds by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    The Math organization actually had to budget in money for air fresheners for the CSC (Computer Science Club.) If you ever wanted to actually see the living proof that the stereotype of the overweight, unshaven, unwashed, Cheeto-crunching Mountain-Dew-swilling nerd existed - University of Waterloo, Math building, third floor by the lounge. Follow your nose - or rather, ignore its screams in protest to run away.

    And if there's any of you stinky SOB's out there reading th- who am I kidding, it's /., there's guaranteed to be at least one - never forget the Pine-Sol-Bombing of 2002. You let it get that nasty again, and we will offer a repeat performance.

    Sincerely,

    - Guy who went to UW in Math, ran BSD, but unlike the CSC members, could actually get laid

  2. Re:Matter of scale by shreevatsa · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    but the ability to respond quickly will lesson as they grow
    Heh, completely offtopic I know, but reminds me:
    `And how many hours a day did you do lessons?' said Alice, in a hurry to change the subject.

    `Ten hours the first day,' said the Mock Turtle: `nine the next, and so on.'

    `What a curious plan!' exclaimed Alice.

    `That's the reason they're called lessons,' the Gryphon remarked: `because they lessen from day to day.'
    -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
    (If you're wondering what happened on the eleventh day and later, read the book; it's free!)
    And to truly appreciate the Alice books, read The Annotated Alice: The Definitive Edition by Martin Gardner.