Category: 1. Software Industry

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Commercial Participation in OpenStack (Zhang et al., IEEE Computer Column)

I’m happy to report that the 19th article in the Open Source Expanded column of IEEE Computer has been published.

TitleCommercial Participation in OpenStack
KeywordsOpenStack, Open Source Software
AuthorsYuxia Zhang, Hao He, Minghui Zhou
PublicationComputer vol. 55, no. 2 (February 2022), pp. 78-84

Abstract: This article provides a overview of commercial participation in OpenStack, a large-scale open source software (OSS) ecosystem. We discuss how to achieve a balance between maximizing business profit and ensuring the long-term sustainability of OSS ecosystems.

As always, the article is freely available (local copy).

Also, check out the full list of articles.

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How to Fund Your Startup (Using Public Grants, in Germany, 2022 Edition)

In this short video, I provide an explanation of how anyone with a team and an idea can get public funding to kick off their venture. I appear to be speaking to my students, but the funding is really available to anyone (with a German address and work permit). If this is you, feel free to get in touch! Happy 2022!

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The Success of log4j

log4j (2) demonstrates the tremendous success of the open source development model (and not the opposite, as some might believe because of the recent vulnerability).

A huge number of companies use log4j in their products. What else spells success better?

However, what those companies failed to do is to properly manage their risk, here the dependency on open source. That’s on the companies, and not on the open source model, which works just fine, thank you.

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The Open Source Distributor Business Model [Computer Magazine]

I’m happy to report that the 18th article in the Open Source Expanded column of IEEE Computer has been published.

TitleThe Open Source Distributor Business Model
KeywordsOpen source distributor, open source distribution, open source business model, open source sustainability
AuthorsDirk Riehle
PublicationComputer vol. 54, no. 12 (December 2021), pp. 99-103

Abstract: This article defines and discusses one particular commercial open source business model, called the (open source) distributor model. It can attract significant venture capital, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability of open source.

As always, the article is freely available (local copy, as PDF).

Also, check out the full list of articles.

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What’s Next After “Source-Available”?

Venture capital plays an important role in open source: It funds startups innovative commercial open source products for the benefit of all as part of the equation. For venture capital to keep flowing, the startup needs to make money eventually, at a level similar to traditional software startups. This is always achieved by withholding something that is not made available for free, generically called “the complement” in this article. This is not human services (labor), because it doesn’t scale well. Rather, it is intellectual property, usually packaged today with machine services (computing). This does scale well.

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Open Source Hardware (Hannig & Teich, IEEE Computer Column)

I’m happy to report that the 17th article in the Open Source Expanded column of IEEE Computer has been published.

TitleOpen Source Hardware
KeywordsOpen Source Hardware, Integrated Circuits, Ecosystems, Hardware, Open Source Software
AuthorsFrank Hannig, Jürgen Teich
PublicationComputer vol. 54, no. 10 (October 2021), pp. 111-115

Abstract: Hardware that can be manufactured from free and open source descriptions has gained a lot of momentum. This article gives a general introduction, focusing on electronics and integrated circuits, corresponding open ecosystems and organizations, and highlights benefits and challenges.

As always, the article is freely available (local copy).

Also, check out the full list of articles.