Skype and Opensource Trends

February 19th, 2007
by Jeremy Thomas

I recently wrote that I’m evaluating Enterprise 2.0 tools for internal use. Through my search I’ve noticed that most providers license their software. Few, like SocialText, offer opensource versions (but good luck installing SocialText Open!). I find it interesting given the popularity of opensource and the association many make with it and Enterprise 2.0 that there are so few opensource options. Not that I’m complaining or anything.

I then started to wonder if the recent discontinuation of free Skypeout calls in North America (which was replaced by an unlimited plan) was perhaps a precursor to trends we might see happen in the opensource space. Is opensource just a fad? Are opensource software providers going to disappear and be replaced by low-cost software companies? Time will tell but there are signs that are not so optimistic, like “wikipedia’s funding woes“, for example.

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Tagged With enterprise 2.0, open source

9 Responses to “Skype and Opensource Trends”

  1. Ross Mayfield Says:
    February 20th, 2007 at 2:56 am

    You are spot on that there should be more open source options. For now, I think it is limited to Socialtext, Wordpress and SugarCRM (by some definitions considered a 2.0 app, not mine).

    We’ve made substantial progress making Socialtext Open easier to install and making it even easier is a top priority. But for now, it reminds me of an old Estonian proverb (also found on a bottle of Turi vodka): “the work will show you the way.”

    Let me know if you need a hand with the install or ask at http://socialtext.net/stoss

  2. Jeremy Thomas Says:
    February 20th, 2007 at 4:19 pm

    Thanks Ross. I think SocialText is a great product. It’d be cool to see a version packaged on a VM to make evaluation a little easier (although arguably nobody would really deploy a production instance on a VM). Thanks for the offer to help with the install too.

  3. AaronF Says:
    February 20th, 2007 at 5:21 pm

    Well, this is precisely what we’ve done at MindTouch: http://mindtouch.com/node/300?subsection=download (to download the VM). And in the last three weeks that we’ve launched MindTouch Deki (in a VM) we’ve already garnered a significant number of paying customers who are using the VM in ‘production’ or mission critical environments. And why wouldn’t they. We have so much wasted iron laying about running at 20-30% utilization with virtualization you could reasonably achieve 80% server utilization and big big savings.

    As for Socialtext and open source…well, let’s just say I think this is peculiar. Here’s why. Socialtext was allegedly selling their software for almost three years before releasing their source code. Since founding the company they’ve been beating the drum and waving the banner of being an open source company. However, they hadn’t released any source. Finally when they did release (just last July, 2006) they did so under a non-OSI approved license. Just food for thought.

    You might consider evaluating MindTouch’s offering. Here’s the recent Infoworld review of it. If you haven’t done so already download and check out the VM. It installs in about 5 minutes (after download) and everyone so far has really liked it. Alternatively go to www.opengarden.org and you can download our source. It’s no Dream (note this project too) to install, but it’s yours to own.

    Sharing is good…

  4. Jeremy Thomas Says:
    February 20th, 2007 at 8:50 pm

    Aaron,
    The reviews look promising and I think I`ll give mindtouch a go. The VM packaging certainly is appealing.

  5. AaronF Says:
    February 21st, 2007 at 5:21 am

    Let me know how it goes.

  6. Ross Mayfield Says:
    February 21st, 2007 at 1:25 pm

    I’m not sure we deserve such an attack, Aaron. For years we supported Kwiki, which is under an OSI license and was the framework for Socialtext. The codebase evolved and we moved to open even further. If you were around back then you would know your history.

    Jeremy, a VM distribution is in the works. If you want to track its progress or participate in the project, head on over to http://socialtext.net/stoss

  7. Jeremy Thomas Says:
    February 22nd, 2007 at 3:11 pm

    Ross,

    That sounds great. Also I’ve just seen your screencast on Suite Two at http://www.spikesource.com/suitetwo/demo-intro.html . I’d be interested to know when Suite Two will be available to the market.

    I also think the appliance model is very compelling. In my organization we’ve seen a lot of positive reaction to this model with Google Search Appliances.

  8. AaronF Says:
    February 22nd, 2007 at 4:21 pm

    Attack?

  9. AaronF Says:
    February 22nd, 2007 at 4:24 pm

    Sorry, I posted the comment before reading your entire post Ross. “For years we supported Kwiki.” I’ve used Kwiki. Years?

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