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Open source works if you: - Treat your OSS projects like MARKETING tools, not revenue streams. - Offer a freemium version of what you produce (e.g., offering
by rglover 8y ago
Open source works if you:
- Treat your OSS projects like MARKETING tools, not revenue streams.
- Offer a freemium version of what you produce (e.g., offering a "Pro" version that's well-maintained and adds valuable features).
- Back your projects with services (e.g., consulting, fast support, "off the shelf" implementations, enterprise workshops, etc.).
- Back your projects with paid support.
- Scale your performance expectations of the business to the cash flow of your services.
If you want to make money off of OSS, you have to run a business. It's the responsibility of the project's creators to deliver products and services utilizing their technology to provide something better than others can (and charge for it).
Otherwise, keep it closed source.
- julianlam 8y agoIndeed, that is NodeBB's business model (and the same model as many other forum software companies, come to think of it). We provide fast support to anyone that wants it, and peace of mind to companies that utilise our product. We are, in essence, domain knowledge as a service. Many people have tried to undercut us, which is a great way of keeping us honest, but there's nothing quite like getting support from the guys who wrote the software :) My only regret is that I cannot support everyone who wants to use NodeBB, for a price point accessible to all.