Companies, Collaboration, and Making it in Open Source
by Kristin Shoemaker - Mar. 12, 2009Comments (0)- Related Blog Posts
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Last month, I covered some of the reasons why companies contribute less often to open source projects, and some possible reasons why. It's an intriguing topic not only because it highlights how groups approach projects differently than individuals, but because it is so pertinent to the growth of open source software. As more "household name" companies begin using and developing products that utilize open source software, a new demographic will get the opportunity to experience (and hopefully, embrace) the new products and their different, open, approach.
The GNOME Foundation's Executive Director, Stormy Peters, offers advice to companies interested in actively collaborating in the open source world. Her post outlines the basics of her talk at OSiM USA.
Peters has observed many companies successfully collaborating with open source projects -- and even with competing businesses -- to further the open source platform and gain a competitive edge. Her advice, gathered from the corporate collaboration successes she's witnessed, brings a few key points to the forefront.
Open source is an investment. It may not be a direct, outwardly financial investment so much as a time investment. She suggests joining applicable consortia, foundations, and intiatives. She suggests subscribing to pertinent mailing lists, IRC channels and forums, and becoming actively involved in the discussions. Success hinges on becoming part of the community. Paying employees to spend time on IRC or forums surely seems a misuse of funds to management unfamiliar with what makes open source tick -- but employees aren't being paid to spend time online, they're paid for making connections and networking. They're being paid to bring the value of the community to the company, and, yes, the value of the company to the community.
Peters emphasizes the importance of communication. If it's important to internal business, it's only magnified as the company joins a community. It eliminates duplicate efforts, it stops bad ideas from lingering, and helps strong ideas grow bigger, stronger, faster. Peters says that the Foundation has stumbled upon several companies using GNOME Mobile that have never contacted the Foundation. While that's certainly allowed, Peters says that both the companies and the Foundation could have a lot to offer each other.
Peters paints a clear picture of the concepts companies wishing to become actively involved open source must consider and internalize to work with their business approach. Og Maciel, an active contributor to numerous open source projects (including GNOME), offers some further insights for companies striking out into the open source world. It's less conceptual, but nicely illustrates through concrete examples how involvement in the community can bring companies better feedback and increased exposure.
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