The value add of Open Source for innovation

Editor's Notes

• #4: Before talking what the value-add of open source, let's see what that is. Source refers to the programming language engineers use to write functionalities of the software. Without source code, it is possible but unpractical to modify software. What the four freedoms boil down is simply: You can run an open source program in its original form or with changes. You can also give it to anyone you want it to either with or without your changes. In order to make and redistribution possible, source code must be available alongside the program. Money is not even mentioned, it IS possible to charge for open source software. But once I have the code I do what I want, I can give it to my neighbor for free.
• #5: With all this said, I want to make a bold statement: Everyone is using open source software.
• #7: Internet infrastructure: standards, TCP/IP, DNS, ... Social: Facebook, Google, Twitter Mobile: Android Cloud: Amazon, Linux IoT: Arduino, Raspberry Pi Big Data: Hadoop, HBase, Storm Others: Amazon Kindle, TVs, embedded computing, PoS terminals, ...
• #8: If source code makes it possible for anyone anywhere to use one's creation without paying a dime, why do companies choose to publish source code?
• #9: Another bold statement :) I work in the software industry, we are creating products. Are all our products open source? No. Do we integrate open source into our products? Yes. Do we publish components of our products as open source? Yes. We open source the platform, the core technology, and build the rest of the offering in a closed form. Open Source is not the free, crippled, entry version which only drives customers to the “paid for” version, Open Source project has to stand on its own feet with its own vision and own business value. There must be no glass ceiling above the open project which it cannot pass but it would be logical to pass. It can never abandon a direction or feature because the original creator has a paid for feature that it would compete with.
• #10: Another bold statement :) I work in the software industry, we are creating products. Are all our products open source? No. Do we integrate open source into our products? Yes. Do we publish components of our products as open source? Yes. We open source the platform, the core technology, and build the rest of the offering in a closed form. Open Source is not the free, crippled, entry version which only drives customers to the “paid for” version, Open Source project has to stand on its own feet with its own vision and own business value. There must be no glass ceiling above the open project which it cannot pass but it would be logical to pass. It can never abandon a direction or feature because the original creator has a paid for feature that it would compete with.
• #11: Another bold statement :) I work in the software industry, we are creating products. Are all our products open source? No. Do we integrate open source into our products? Yes. Do we publish components of our products as open source? Yes. We open source the platform, the core technology, and build the rest of the offering in a closed form. Open Source is not the free, crippled, entry version which only drives customers to the “paid for” version, Open Source project has to stand on its own feet with its own vision and own business value. There must be no glass ceiling above the open project which it cannot pass but it would be logical to pass. It can never abandon a direction or feature because the original creator has a paid for feature that it would compete with.
• #12: Some examples: Linux kernel is supported by RedHat, SUSE, Oracle, Ubuntu All of them work on the kernel and try to hire as many upstream developers as possible MySQL Oracle (through acquisition), SkySQL, Percona
• #13: My bold statement was that open source delivers the best product, why? Linux for instance: Started as a hobby project for i386, not intended to be running anywhere else. Today: from small devices the size of a matchbox, running to IBM mainframes From web servers, through Xray machines to cars and airplanes Technology and “general purpose computing” is very adaptable, the question is whether we can connect the dots and have the required skillset to implement what we want. Commercial sw development inherently limits the scope, whereas transparency in an open source project opens up a lot of opportunities that would have not been used.
• #14: Open Source is by necessity iterative, quite akin to agile software engineering practices that emerged the last couple of years. A series of smaller steps deliver much more value if the intermediate steps are used for pivots, validations and new ideas. Competition is always good, if a project sponsor falls behind, someone can take his/her place.
• #16: Engineers take a job to pay their bills… … but usually still have retain hobbies Open Source can be one of those hobbies Making one's hobby his job has enormous benefits through motivation Inherent understanding of the problem space (less need for product management) Attention to detail, solving problems the best way possible Making decisions at an individual level, without management overhead Collaboration with like-minded peers becomes very easy
• #17: An advantage that can diminish over time, but as a company employs the engineers that created the product the first place, they are the first to go to if someone wants help. They have the ability to support customers in business critical environments, they are the best to fix bugs or enhance the product in new directions. Basically they are in the best position to deliver a product using the open source project's output...
• #18: … at least until someone else invests enough to learn the ins and outs of the system and start their product as well.
• #19: Wikipedia, Creative Commons (creative works such as photos, music) Open Hardware (Arduino), Maker community (3D printing, DIY)
• #20: Open Source Transparency creates a opportunity to join and trust Motivations become intrinsic Innovation happens :)