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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. Some interesting points about Novell/MS by Franso6 · · Score: 5, Informative
    Or the 'official' reasons for the deal (FTFA):

    "(...)
    Microsoft was represented by Sam Ramji, Director of Open Source Technical Strategy, while Novell was represented by Justin Steinman, Director of Marketing Linux and Open Platforms.(...)

    (...)
    From Microsoft's perspective, the deal it struck with Novell was driven mainly by customer demand. Sam described how its Interoperability Executive Council, which includes 30 top CIOs demanded interoperability between Windows and Linux, as both must coexist in the enterprise and neither will completely displace the other."(...)

    (...)
    From Novell's perspective, its motivation for the deal was primarily the need to differentiate itself in a meaningful way to gain share versus Red Hat. As number two in the market, Novell recognized that it simply could not gain significant share without a "game-changing" event. (...)"

  3. Re:Can I be a Think Tank too? by sayfawa · · Score: 5, Funny

    You may be onto something. Everytime some stupid internet or patent law is close to being passed, we can summarize the prevailing thought on /. and submit it to the media as coming from an official think tank. We just need some sophisticated sounding name that won't be immediately associated with /.

    --
    Free the Quark 3 from asymptotic confinement! Bring your charm! Don't get down! All colours and flavours welcome!
  4. Sponsored by... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    This year's "platinum sponsors" were Microsoft and Novell.

    Source: http://thinktank.olliancegroup.com/ostt2007report. pdf

    Nuff said.

  5. Re:Can I be a Think Tank too? by El_Muerte_TDS · · Score: 5, Funny

    We just need some sophisticated sounding name that won't be immediately associated with /.

    How about: National Enterprise Research Devision
    Or: Global Electronically Evaluation Kommittee
    Maybe even: Digital Organization of Reviewing Karmawhores