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open-source-applications-we-have-reached-the-laugh

I am always amazed at the lack of understanding about how open source business models can work.

Matt Asay has a great post current status of open source applications.

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

Mohandas Gandhi

Linux is in the "win" phase. Apache webserver is in the "won" phase. MySQL and JBoss are in the stage where the laughter turns bitter and the pushing starts. Big wins are on the horizon.

Open source applications? We're at the point the ignorance is breeding laughter. SugarCRM, Alfresco, JasperSoft, Plone, Compiere, etc. These are all applications that used to be ignored, but ignorance is no longer serving proprietary competitors well.

Marketers like to talk about how the "product" includes the thing itself and its attributes such as packaging, pricing, licensing, service, support, customization, etc. In a way, open source explodes all these elements and then companies or groups such as SugarCRM and the Plone community pull pieces back together into new packages that are more attractive to certain customers.

Hat tip to the Plone Blog

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