Josh Thompson

Why Companies Really Turn to Open Source Software

"So long as the tech [browser] was locked down by a single commercial company, we saw very little in terms of real innovation."

The scenario is similar to record labels previously controlling what was released compared to initially pirating and eventually the free for all on youtube, blog sites, itunes, etc.
It does confirms the opening up of a new distribution channel is democratizing to innovation. This process is not unique to software. 15+ years ago I was told that the overnight delivery business model destroyed the concept of a distributorship because products could be shipped directly from the manufacturer.
An unanswered question is why can't a large for-profit company recreate the innovation of open source? The flaw of Open Source is at its core it is saying: "can't we all just work together...who needs self interest?" When MSFT creates the "feeling" of an open source community and a marketplace for that community with Azure developers it will all go back to normal.

The Rewriting of Open Source History

Open Source is like FDR's New Deal. It's been reinvented and used to accomplish so many goals, it has become a mess. Open Source appears to work until it achieves success, then a few participants look for ways to profit and mini-MSFTs pop up everywhere. It turns ugly as soon as money is put on the table; when everyone is making contributions and no visible earnings picture is on the horizon, everyone's happily playing. Open Source turns into a battle of money and personality when it achieves success, that will probably be its nemesis. P.S. I liked the article.

Microsoft vs. Open Source: Differences Explained by the Real World

A positive effect of Open source is MSFT almost gives away office pro software to markets that would be very hyper-sensitive to price like college students. They also give away developer and server software to student-developers under their dreamsparks program
There are hyper-sensitive managers also. Eventually the learning curve costs replaces purchase savings, and no peer managers follow the self- appointment open source advocate manager. MSFT still is the winner.

Open Source Bloggers Don't Let the Facts Confuse Them When Attacking Microsoft

Open Source has come to be known as 'free' because it is thought of as being developed by a community that shares all progress with the community. It all sounds like a beatles song. I have read that MSFT would rather foster a strong online community for the developers that they sell to because that is the positive effect of open source.