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Think Tank Report On the State of Open Source

Posted by kdawson on from the looking-in-the-mirror dept.

AlexGr writes to recommend an account of a meeting a couple of months back of representatives from more than 100 software companies discussing the state of open source software. The outcome is outlined in a 16-page report, 2007 Open Source Think Tank: The Future of Commercial Open Source (PDF). Among the surprising conclusions: participants noted a growing similarity in methods between open source and proprietary software development. They predicted some kind of convergence, where the best of both approaches gets adopted in each camp.

5 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. This article is nonsense... by jkrise · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For instance, at last year's Open Source Think Tank meeting, participants were expecting open-source software to achieve greater predominance. However, licensing and support issues have slowed the adoption of open-source solutions at the enterprise level.

    Licensing and Support issues with 'Closed Source' software is precisely what drove enterprises to Open Source! Enterprise care a hoot about GPL v2 and GPL v3 wars.. they aren't interested in redistribution.. just that the Damn Thing Works (TM) !

    --
    If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
  2. Surprising? by dour+power · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Among the surprising conclusions: participants noted a growing similarity in methods between open source and proprietary software development. They predicted some kind of convergence, where the best of both approaches gets adopted in each camp.
    Why is it surprising that developers (open or closed source) have adopted the useful parts of each others' development models? They don't exist in vacuums...
    1. Re:Surprising? by jkrise · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Why is it surprising that developers (open or closed source) have adopted the useful parts of each others' development models? They don't exist in vacuums...

      Once upon a time, Open Source developers were called all sorts of filthy names... like gypsies, hippies, communists etc. etc.

      Now that 'Enterprise Customers' have adopted these software systems into their networks, the Closed Source world would like to inform you that they have changed... since it's now apparently fashionable to be a hippie.

      --
      If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
  3. Can I be a Think Tank too? by CarpetShark · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Who declared these people a "think tank"? Most of the people on slashdot think about Open Source/Free Software sometimes. Bill Gates does as well. Is HE an "Open Source Think Tank"?

  4. The needs of vendors by mangu · · Score: 4, Insightful
    FTFA: "establish an OSI-approved open-source license that better meets the needs of commercial open-source vendor"


    How about meeting the needs of users? Any vendor is free to adopt any licence they want, it's up to the market, i.e. the buyers, to decide if that licence is acceptable or not.


    All in all, the whole article seems like an intent to spread FUD against the GPL.