Open Source as a business side effect
In a few days, I hope to launch a little project that I've been working on, that was inspired by some concrete needs at work. That's nothing new, as I've often undertaken new projects after seeing needs out there in the 'real world'. What's going to be different this time, though, is that I'm not going to release it as open source software. Instead, I'm going to make the basic version available for free on the web, and charge money for more advanced versions, in various ways.
That's a pretty big change for me, as I'm very dedicated to the idea of open source software. It's simply more fun than the proprietary sort, and I love cooperating with other people on things, and all in all, it's just easier to release stuff that way.
However, I want to try something new... I want to see if I can make some money on a few ideas and projects that I have in mind. I've thought about it a lot, and the shortest, most direct feedback loop in the types of end-user applications I have in mind is going the 'commercial' route. If I can make a bit of money on the applications, I can spend a bit more time either improving them or developing new ones. If they were open source, the most I would get is other people contributing a little bit back, but that doesn't matter much, as none of these ideas are all that complex.
I'm not giving up on free software... I couldn't. My hope is that by providing myself some extra income, that I will be able to produce some free software as a 'side effect', ala 37 signals or google, or any number of other groups that contribute a lot of 'side dishes' to open source, while saving the main course to make their money with.
Hopefully you will see more in this space in the next few days.
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about {{count}} hours later:
I wish you luck, and think that it will be an interesting experiment to watch.
If you can post updates I'm sure it will be interesting reading.
I've been tempted by similar thoughts in the past, but ultimately have decided against it.
about {{count}} hours later:
Bravo, glad to see you diversifying in this way (not that you were ever a zealot of course). Best of luck with this, and if you get stuck on any of the business stuff, let me know and I'll see if I can point you to some useful resources.
about {{count}} hours later:
Oh my! Are you ready for all the criticsms and "Ah ah! You can't pay the bill with OSS, can you?" (just joking ;-) Seriously, from a business perspective, I think there's a case for open source, and a case for commercial software. If I had created a (relatively) small, vertical project for a specific market, I'd probably go with a commercial product, since it's imho the best way to focus on the needs of your (paying) customers. You might want to consider a business model a la Atlassian, with different versions, a free edition for no-profit organizations, and give also access to the source code to paying customers. Anyway, in bocca al lupo!
about {{count}} hours later:
Don't expect too much... basically just some projects that I think have a bit of value and I want to see where they go.
Thanks for the encouragement!
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You don't need excuses if you want to earn money with programming! It's real work.