Incidentally even car manufacturers are seriously getting in on the service side. Apparently even the Terrano requires a password before you can hook onto the computer to do routine service. And only authorised dealers have these. Mercedes has been doing this for a while.
P.
On Thursday, Jun 19, 2003, at 10:23 Africa/Kampala, Kiggundu Mukasa wrote:
Ssesanga,<image.tiff>
I think you miss the point of the Open Source model.� They make money on services not on the software.
As anyone on this list how much they charge to install a web server, firewall, proxy etc.� I guarantee you it is over 200%-300% the value of the software.� Microsoft Office XP retails for about $500� Can you imagine charging a client $1500 to install and configure it to their business ?
The fact that the source is open means you can use your skills to provide services that they need for a fee, the cost of the software is nothing in comparison
All the big tech companies (IBM, HP, etc) make more money from Services than from selling boxes (computers, software whatever).� This nice article shows that is a long about way.��� http://www.business2.com/articles/mag/0,1640,39361,FF.html
HP bought Compaq for its services division not because of its computer division.� Services is where the money is in Linux (providing the solutions).� Open Software is only the vehicle.�
Another example closer to home would be web site developers and hosting in Uganda.� You can host on Micrsoft IIS or on Apache.� One is free one is not, yet the companies like Metrocomia, Uganda Home Pages, Digital Solutions etc. can give their clients a better deal by using Apache than by using IIS.
Don't forget the great benefit of Open Source, which is you produce a better product because it is checked and improved by all.� Would you feel safer giving your money to a company which allowed you to tour the vaults (and recommend changes) where they would secure your money, or a company that just promised you that they had the best vaults (but the agreement they signed stated they were not responsible if the money got stolen)?
Microsoft is a blind box pusher and that model, although not dying anytime soon, is being replaced in the software industry.
My two cents
Kiggs
On Thu, 2003-06-19 at 09:33, Patrick Ssesanga wrote:
The M$ guy is absolutely right! If software is to remain an industry then it has to operate like all other industries - NEVER GIVE AWAY YOUR PRODUCT FOR FREE. Let us not forget that source code is to this industry what goods are to other industries.
And in biz terms I cannot see any of you here telling your clients or bosses for that matter how to do the work you do, for your knowledge is the product you sell in the service industry! If you did you would render youtself irrelevant!
The best thing we need to do is�negotiate better sales terms of these software products! And this comes through competetion in the traditional industries. I can imagine the guys developing software even on this list have a similar opinion! =:)
If the so called OSS advocates had competetive products on the market they would on the other side of the fence!!!! swell!!!
thnx.
----Original Message Follows----
From: "Mark Tinka"
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To:
Subject: RE: lug_: Never show source code, senior Microsoft man says
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2003 09:05:38 +0300
But the question is, the secret of success to who? The user, or the software
vendor?
Regards,
Mark Tinka - CCNA
Network Engineer, Africa Online Uganda
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kiggundu
Mukasa
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2003 8:53 AM
To: LUG
Subject: lug_: Never show source code, senior Microsoft man says
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10058
Best Quote:
A SENIOR VP at Microsoft has told an e-commerce conference in Brazil that
his firm thinks open source is destroying the software industry.
Craig Mundie, senior VP at Microsoft, told the conference in S�o Paulo
yesterday, the secret to success in software is "never show the source".
--
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