Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 11th Dec 2012 23:12 UTC
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That is what in all my years of software development I have come to realize.
Open source as business is only possible when you can make services or hardware on top of it.
Most ways open source companies are doing business are not possible in the domestic market of the desktop environments.
Open source as business is only possible when you can make services or hardware on top of it.
Or when your business is creating or tailoring software and not distribution.
But maybe you had that as part of services since this is, as the word tailoring already hints at, a form of service like people having a tailor create new or change existing clothing to fit exactly the specs (measurements) of the customers




Member since:
2006-01-25
I actually agree with you on almost all of your points. But you seem to be implying that if they had stuck to a pure Linux desktop play they would be profitable by now...
Thing is, I think the reason Canonical is flailing all over the place trying to figure out alternative ways to make money is that they don't and never have made any real money on pure desktop...
In fact, I don't see any way they could - no one else has figured out how to crack that nut either... I expect after 8 years Shuttleworth is a bit tired of floating the operation, and trying to figure out new revenue streams seems pragmatic to me.
I just question the point of blaming them for trying different things - its either that or just give up and fold if you ask me.
Goodwill doesn't pay salaries...
Edited 2012-12-12 04:49 UTC