Forbes is running a story about how VA Software appears to be co-opting open source as nothing more than a marketing slogan. In actuality, many "open source" companies are in fact hybrid, offering some level of closed source functionality or features not available in the open product. SugarCRM is an example of the hybrid, whereas Sleepycat is more 'pure'. As the market is still so nascent, none of the business models are entirely proven, and each has benefits and weaknesses. Ultimately, people create businesses to make money, and while its great to be noble and assume everything should be free, it's just not realistic.
In terms of how these companies market themselves, it should come as no surprise that people tie themselves to what's hip in the marketplace even if they are only quasi-related. There is little question that the open source moniker and associations are being used in questionable ways. VA Software is no different or less conflicted than Novell who have closed and open products or IBM who push Linux and yet still sell the closed WebSphere etc.
What's important to realize is that open source will be usurped by marketing just like Grid, virtualization and every other emergent technology. The only advantage we have in this market is the transparency afforded by the community. Is Slashdot conflicted because it's owned by VA? Hard to say. The guys who work there would likely be saying and writing the same things regardless of who signs their paychecks. I can't tell you how they feel about it, but don't think that people aren't aware of the parasites that are trying to corrupt the open source movement and use it to their advantage.
Related:
My posting Where are all the open source marketers has resulted in a bevy of emails from people asking about jobs in open source, people looking to provide jobs, and recruiters wondering who the companies are that are looking for staff. I am in process of responding to all and will post some summary data in the future.
The voodoo of marketing an open source project
Posted by Dave Rosenberg on August 26, 2005 10:24 AM
