On 6/6/07, Ariz Jacinto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > we also had this kind of conversation days ago but with a different focus > which is, > > "is the local pool of F/OSS manpower sustainable?" > > > we do have PLUG, pOSitive (http://positive.ph/ ), schools with integrated > F/OSS > curriculum, Training Centers, etc. that could help make it sustainable for > the > general demand. but how about the supply of specialist for a specific F/OSS > technology? > > for example, if we're going to look for a Qt developer, we only have 2 > places to > look for. then if we're going to look for a Python developer, we only know 3 > > persons who can really code using the said language. How about ....(and the > list goes on...). Training could remedy this problem. but then again, where > should we look for a "qualified" trainor? :) >
I dont think we need trainors. We have to bootstrap. I think a lot of members of this list have done that. I think the lucky ones have the time and enough leeway in their day jobs to play with linux or open source in general. But thats only the lucky few. What we need is an infrastructure for research and discovery. Thats where the government can help. Venture capital maybe but then its catch 22 again. No market no venture capital. > > > anyway, back to rogelio's question. what kind of local open source company > are you referring too? > > Consulting? Not really. > Solutions Provider? Yes. > Product Development (dual-license model? subscription-based model?) ? > F/OSS-centric Web 2.0? > etc. > Yes. But subscription based models dont really work when some of your customers can download what the others buy. In my experience there is a catch 22 for open source companies. Most end up using open source to sell closed source software. Thats not good. > > then which market do you intend to engage with? how huge is that market? > and if i may ask, what's your business model? > Im not trying to build a software company. I just want to understand the obstacles to the widespread use of open source in the industry. I believe that only hardware sales can subsidize directly or indirectly open source software. Its like roads and cars. No roads no cars. Nobody will buy hardware if there is no readily available, well designed high quality software. -- Lay low and nourish in obscurity _________________________________________________ Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List [email protected] (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph) Read the Guidelines: http://linux.org.ph/lists Searchable Archives: http://archives.free.net.ph
