We do revisit this issue from time to time. And need to do so again. Right now we are focused entirely on getting J7 out the door. Once that is done we'll sit back and think about other issues such as OSS.
On Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 12:10 PM, Dan Bron <[email protected]> wrote: > Has JSoftware considered pursuing the open source software (OSS) model, now > that it's seasoned a little, and companies like Redhat have demonstrated it > can sustain a business? > > If it's been considered recently, I'd be interested in the details of the > decision to remain closed source, and what benefits JSoftware perceives in > that direction. One obvious reason is that currently the source is for > sale > to interested parties, and therefore represents (some portion of) revenue. > > If that revenue is significant (or even just non-trivial), then I agree > that > going OSS would be detrimental, and there's not much more to say. > > If the source revenue is trivial, however, then maybe it's still worth > exploring the OSS idea. Maybe the reasons for maintaining the status quo > are just inertial: right now the source is closed, and JSoftware doesn't > see a compelling reason to change. > > One possible answer to that challenge is: given OSS' current popularity, > one > potential benefit of going OSS could be increased uptake & usage of the > language (possibly in a positive feedback cycle). > > -Dan > > PS: Note, I am not an OSS zealot or even proponent. I sell proprietary > software for a living. To do that, I use Windows for my OS, Office for my > productivity tools, Opera for my browser, J for my primary programming > language, etc (all proprietary, closed-source software). > > I am initiating this discussion out of interest in JSoftware's business > model, not for religious (open source software vs prop. software vs free > software) reasons. > > And, to be honest, I'm also interested in seeing and playing with the > source > of the modern J engine (and its test scripts). > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
