Certified Open Source: Why It Matters

by Sam Dean - Aug. 22, 2008Comments (5)

I read with interest this item from ZDNet on Intel getting "open source mojo" through its hookup with SpikeSource. If you're unfamiliar with SpikeSource, see our story here. SpikeSource has a unique business model that straddles open source and closed source, and is headed up by one of the darlings of the dot-com boom: Kim Polese. SpikeSource is partially funded by Intel Capital, and it powers Intel's Certified Solutions Program which tests and certifies ISV (independent software vendor) applications against security, interoperability and performance metrics. SpikeSource's Solutions Factory platform is used for such tests. Why is this hookup between SpikeSource and Intel good news for open source?

In a previous post, I made the point that open source needs experienced tech leaders who understand business and markets as evangelists. Kim Polese served for years at Sun Microsystems as the product manager of Java, and gave Java its name. She also rode the dot-com boom up and down again, before arriving at SpikeSource, which historically has been very focused on open source (though it's not the sole focus now).

Dana Blankenhorn's term for what Intel gets out of its deal with SpikeSource--"open source mojo"--is right on. Having an experienced tech executive like Kim oversee a far-reaching technology certification program for Intel, and using testing software rooted in open source for the tests, are good developments.

That certification program is already reaching out to open source companies and products, too: "Certification on Intel multi-core processors helps us differentiate our offering and drive even greater confidence for our customers," says Brian Gentile, President and CEO of JasperSoft, which makes open source business intelligence software.

The "confidence for our customers" point is important there. From lack of support to lack of independent testing, there are several common reasons why many good open source products don't gain the trust of influencers such as powerful IT managers. The more certification and testing that top open source products can get, the better.

People wondered whether SpikeSource's hookup with Intel represented a kind of selling out from its open source roots. In the end, that hookup looks like its going to be positive for open source. In addition to the certification program Intel and SpikeSource operate, open source software providers may also want to look into the Intel Business Builder program.

Previous: Ma.gnolia Looks to O...Next: Contest Winners Anno... Browse Blog

by Joe Stein on Aug. 22, 2008

Spike Source launched with a lot of fanfare and hype but it hasn't done much since. It would be interesting to see what sort of adoption they're seeing with their "pre-certified stacks". The concept and vision is spot on but it doesn't seem like its really going as per plan...IMO

1 Votes

by Arjun Chopra on Aug. 22, 2008

With Microsoft attempting to play well with Open Source, how long before you start seeing 'Microsoft blessed' open source stacks?

0 Votes

by an anonymous user on Aug. 23, 2008

It is interesting to see Micro$oft's recent interest in Open Source. Watch out for them to start offering 'certified' WAMP stacks on Windoze and collecting license fees from this market.

0 Votes

by an anonymous user on Aug. 24, 2008

It matters in the enterprise - not in the startup and that's the reason why microsoft, oracle, sap and the other mammoths have a chokehold on the enterprise because they just make life A LOT easier for the IT manager working in a larger, cookie cutter environment. Why take the risk?

1 Votes

by Kanchana Wickremasinghe on Nov. 03, 2008

Why MS cannot ignore Open Source?

Firstly I believe the market meltdown will be lot longer than the economist predicts. This is however is very good for Open Source, if they see things clearly of course, otherwise things can go worst.

Open Source is here to stay, that is a fact and MS have identified that, and they also know that most of these developers are withe ex-windows background. Therefore ignoring will only harm them.

Therefore instead of making lot of enemies, they can start to like the open source folks and help them out as they can continue to hold a strong foothold.

Therefore there will be more companies in the future offering Open Source on Windows platforms, and that is not a bad thing after all. As they will not be able to control the openness and freedom the open source bring.

0 Votes