Commercial open-source contradiction
From WhyNotWiki
Taking a skeptical look at companies who claim to support open-source but also try to sell a commercial/closed-source version.
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[edit] Discussion
Do they have a [conflict of interest (category)]? Perhaps... But that's not illegal or necessarily immoral.
I have to respect their desire to make money from all the hard work they've put into their product. I'll try to see their open-source contributions in a generous light and not be too cynical. But I will also be a bit skeptical and try to see if they really are telling the truth, etc.
Do they release only a stripped-down version of their software or is it the exact some software that they are trying to sell? Why shouldn't users simply download the free version? They don't disclose these things fully. They somewhat misleadingly give the impression that you need to buy from them or else you're missing out on something. When in reality, if it's the same software, then as long as you can figure out how to install it, you might be better off just downloading and installing the free version.
[edit] "Perpetrators"
[edit] Zamanda
A [distribution] of Amanda that adds what value?? It adds value to Zamanda's pocketbooks perhaps... but I don't see how it benefits the users of / open-source contributors to Amanda all that much.
[edit] Socialtext
http://www.socialtext.net/open/index.cgi?other_oss_projects
Socialtext has supported work by many of its employees on related open source software projects, including:
Sounds a bit like bragging... but oh well, I guess it helps your credibility somewhat as someone who claims to be a supporter of open-source software...
http://www.socialtext.net/open/index.cgi?socialtext_open
Socialtext Open is wiki software released under an open source license. We are working on making the download and install as easy as possible. Right now it is a complicated process....
If you would just like to try out Socialtext's wiki software, and don't want to go through the installation process, you can get a free 30-day trial or sign up for Socialtext Personal.
Socialtext Releases First Commercial Open Source Wiki (http://www.socialtext.com/node/88) (July 24, 2006 - 2:24pm).
Portland, July 24th 2006 :: Socialtext, the first Wiki company, releases Socialtext Open at the O'Reilly Open Source Convention (OSCON). Available for immediate download, Socialtext Open is the first open source wiki with a commercial venture as its primary contributor. Over 2,000 businesses run Socialtext Wiki products today as a hosted service or appliance.[edit] Socialtext Open
Based on the same great product, Socialtext Open is released under a standard open source license, and contains all of Socialtext's enterprise grade code aside from enterprise management and enterprise integration tools. Socialtext also announced the availability of its Technical Professional Service, a new SOAP API and the Socialtext Open Roadmap for the next three months.
"This release completes Socialtext's transformation into a commercial open source business," said Socialtext CEO Ross Mayfield. "Wikis have a rich open source tradition that we are proud to be a part of. Socialtext Open provides businesses an easy-to-use wiki designed for professional use. Freedom included."
Socialtext's first commercial open source offering was Wikiwyg, an AJAX-based WYSIWYG editor. Last month Socialtext announced a partnership with Dan Bricklin to distribute and co-develop wikiCalc, the wiki spreadsheet, under an open source license. Socialtext has had open source heritage throughout the company's history, leveraging and contributing to the Kwiki project. For other open source contributions, see http://socialtext.net/stoss
Socialtext's product line now includes:
- Socialtext Open - Socialtext's enterprise strength Wiki under an Open Source license
- Socialtext Personal - Socialext's free for up to five users and Open Source efforts hosted service
- Socialtext Professional - hosted service subscription
- Socialtext Enterprise - Socialtext's BTF ("Behind the Firewall") enterprise-grade appliance
[edit] Technical Professional Service
For organizations that require technical support, consulting and developer services for Socialtext Open, Technical Professional Services are available under a service contract for a flat rate of $240 per hour.
Socialtext Technical Professional Services complement Socialtext Professional Service options such as training, adoption consulting and management consulting available at variable rates. For further information about Socialtext services, contact sales@socialtext.com.
[edit] Socialtext Public License
Drawing from its Perl luminary roots, Socialtext releases all its products under SPL, a derivative of the liberal OSI-compliant Mozilla Public 1.1 license. Socialtext will make other products on its roadmap available under this license as well, opening its codebase to all users on a liberal and ongoing basis.
[edit] SOAP API
Socialtext also announced its new Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) Application Programming Interface to enable developers to integrate and extend Socialtext Open. Documentation is available at http://socialtext.net/stoss/?SOAP_API
[edit] The Road to Palladium
Socialtext also shared its Public Roadmap to help guide the developer community for the next three months. The roadmap includes a source code repository, Debian, Red Hat, SOAP and REST APIs, usability enhancements, and additional DBMS management beyond Postgres, starting with MySQL. The release at the end of this period, code-named Palladium, will mark the open availability of the first enterprise grade, corporate backed, Wiki to enthusiasts and commercial users alike. The Public Roadmap is available at http://socialtext.net/stoss/?Public_Roadmap
Aliases: Reluctant adoption of open-source model, Half-baked adoption of open-source model, Companies using open-source as buzzword but not truly embracing the concept
