Here is a way of thinking about companies and open source - I was the CTO of a very large financial firm and we frequently used open source software - it was free(ish), sometimes better written, always extensible. Occasionally we desired new features. Sometimes we wrote them ourselves (and contributed the code back to the community) but most of the time it was easier to deal with small companies that were experts in a specific open source package. It didn't cost us much (vs. wall street rates). We were proud, even insistent that any changes be incorporated into the general build. This benefited everyone - the world got our changes and our changes could persist past the lifespan of the small company we contracted with.
We also frequently contracted for support with small companies for open source projects. This worked but we usually didn't really need or use their services. Open source communities usually provide substantial, fast and correct support. The Red Hat model worked for us but we were a large company and had massive leverage when dealing with any company. I preferred the model I mentioned above though. Perhaps this will help us think about EMC and the future. - Mike -----Original Message----- From: Jim Fleig - CNC Services [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 10:47 AM To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) Subject: Re: [Emc-users] Incorporation & Donation [Was: Re: What's coming inmanufacturing] Steve, The following comment from your email states my sentiments very well. >> >> > I don't think that paid programming prevents volunteer work. What I > don't think I want to see is a corporate entity that thinks it should > direct volunteers to do things they don't want to do, and doesn't accept > things the volunteers actually do. That would certainly reduce > community participation and would be a detriment to the project. > > - Steve > To all: We all know there are corporate entities that are bullies. Although they receive little or no press, there are corporate entities that are very careful about what they do and how they go about doing it. I hope that my email would be viewed in the later category because I am not willing to take my customers money without knowing I can adequately support their needs. Doug, others and myself are not seeking ownership or control. We have a business sense of financial fair play that causes us to want to give when we receive. I certainly have a business sense of financial fair play that causes me to want to receive when I give! Shouldn't the reverse be true? If the future provides opportunity for commercial contributions to this volunteer project, as a commercial contributor I would like to be viewed favorably by the volunteers. Have a good day, Jim Fleig ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Stay on top of everything new and different, both inside and around Java (TM) technology - register by April 22, and save $200 on the JavaOne (SM) conference, June 2-5, 2009, San Francisco. 300 plus technical and hands-on sessions. Register today. Use priority code J9JMT32. http://p.sf.net/sfu/p _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stay on top of everything new and different, both inside and around Java (TM) technology - register by April 22, and save $200 on the JavaOne (SM) conference, June 2-5, 2009, San Francisco. 300 plus technical and hands-on sessions. Register today. Use priority code J9JMT32. http://p.sf.net/sfu/p _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
