“Businesses wonder, “how can anyone make money by giving
something away for free?” I’ll attempt to answer that question in
this series of articles. Specifically, I’ll discuss how a small
business, United Planet, tries to find a way to save resources and
capital while turning a profit AND giving software away. Since a
theoretical debate won’t help anyone in the ever-changing, fast
paced computerized climate of today’s business I believe its
important to focus on a real company’s effort to capitalize on
OpenSource Software.”
“By giving away the code United Planet writes, they hope to spur
interest in the service. While, the market for the service may be
small, the market for the software will be much greater. Hopefully,
as more businesses use the software they will contribute to the
project by suggesting and ultimately adding features. Thus
providing both United Planet and the rest of the user base, a
better set of tools and consequently a better service.”