The future of open source

[cactaur]

I was wondering, if somehow, all software became open source and paying for software was a thing of the past, where would developers and programmers find employment? To my knowledge, developers and programmers already have jobs, and they work on open source projects as a hobby. If software companies stop existing, who would hire the developers and programmers? I don't think they could make any money directly from developing software. Unless I'm wrong, the only way programmers could live is if they're hired by the government to work on open source projects, or they put advertisments in the programs. Or is there a possibility I didn't consider? If anyone can come up with one, please reply, this question has been burning my brain all day.

[weasel fierce]

There's big companies like Red Hat that make lots of money from open source software. Just because its open source, doesnt mean it can never cost money. It seems profitable open source mainly focuses on being sold in a nice packaging, with good printed manuals, professional support, business level support and things like that.

Likewise, its entirely possible that we would find companies commissioning programmers to develop specific software for their needs.

[frup]

Open source doesnt mean you can't charge for it, even RMS has charged for software i believe.

[cactaur]

Really? Oh, I thought they just charged for official support. Well, and if it's open source, by definition doesn't that mean anyone can just take the code compile it, and bam they have the program?

[IYY]

I was wondering, if somehow, all software became open source and paying for software was a thing of the past, where would developers and programmers find employment? To my knowledge, developers and programmers already have jobs, and they work on open source projects as a hobby. If software companies stop existing, who would hire the developers and programmers? I don't think they could make any money directly from developing software. Unless I'm wrong, the only way programmers could live is if they're hired by the government to work on open source projects, or they put advertisments in the programs. Or is there a possibility I didn't consider? If anyone can come up with one, please reply, this question has been burning my brain all day.

This is a question that is often asked, and it has an answer: most programmers (an overwhelming majority) does not make money by making commercial software. And it's not that most software is Free and Open Source; it's just never released to the public. Most software that needs writing is for in-house applications, to accomplish some very specific task. For such a purpose, Open Source is an incredible boon since it is legal to use and modify Open Source software without releasing your modification as long as your product is not public.

Another type of programmer is a programmer who makes software for the internet -- blogs, search engines, video sharing sites and so on. Such programmers make a free product to begin with, but make their money through advertisements (or being bought by Google ;))

Other programmers are IT specialists who manage networks of companies, do consulting, installations, suggest what solution to choose... Once again, Open Source helps.

What is common to the above: software as a service, not a product. This is the way most programmers make money today, and Open Source can only help that. Software as a product, however, is indeed doomed if we win the battle. However, this is a very small price to pay.

* Note that the developers of Open Source software also get paid, often quite well. Companies like IBM and RedHat invest millions of dollars in OSS projects because they ultimately benefit from the service.

* Note that I myself am a programmer.

Hope this helps :)

[aysiu]

Firefox is open source and makes millions of dollars off of kickbacks from Google:
http://www.calacanis.com/2006/03/06/firefox-mozilla-corporation-mozilla-foundation-made-72m-last/

[cactaur]

mmmmmm.......Interesting, I never thought of those answers.

[deepwave]

Simple, short answer. We will have the exact same situation we are facing today.

Long, detailed answer:
The software industry can be divided roughly into 3 sectors: services, content and products.

Services:
Support, training and custom solutions are what would drive some of the industry if all programs were open source. Why? Many of the largest companies in the software industry sell platforms. Platforms such databases, languages and so on, are not solutions in of themselves. Examples of such companies are IBM and Oracle. When a non-software firm needs software it needs applications custom built for its requirements. Someone will need to write solutions programs, provide training and coding for that platform.

Content:
Another prime mover today is content portals. Look at YouTube. It only handles video content, and is wildly successful. The software underneath is not important in this case. The money is in serving, handling and presenting the content. Where there is money to be made, there are jobs.

Products:
It is also possible to sell open source software as products. A number of successful models exist for that too. I am personally involved with a startup that is actually that will most likely sell open source software. Again jobs for developers.

In General:
The difference between proprietary and open source software is the use of protected IP. Many firms consider their IP as a barrier against competitors entering their market and sweeping them away. The truth is that proprietary technology alone is not good barrier to entry. Venture capitalists probably will not fund a business that has only a proprietory IP a barrier to entry. It is not sound in business. Proprietary IP/software is only part of a business strategy. So even if that part was removed, most sane companies would still exist without it.

Microsoft would still be Microsoft even without EULAs. They simply sell software per box and copy, and could so if they went OSS tomorrow. EULAs are simply part of a larger business strategy which works with the dynamics of mass markets and corporate businesses. And yes, Microsoft also sells platforms so is in no danger of going out of business in an OSS-only world.

[yman]

Really? Oh, I thought they just charged for official support. Well, and if it's open source, by definition doesn't that mean anyone can just take the code compile it, and bam they have the program?

from what I heard, GPL requires that source code be destributed with the binaries. to my understanding that means that you could choose to distribute source code only with binaries and if you sell binaries then only those who pay get the source code.

[raublekick]

if open-source software came to full realization, maybe everything else could to! :)

[prizrak]

from what I heard, GPL requires that source code be destributed with the binaries. to my understanding that means that you could choose to distribute source code only with binaries and if you sell binaries then only those who pay get the source code.

It requires that the code be available. Be it with binaries or on your site doesn't really matter. You can charge for both legally w/o a problem.