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Do people really buy source code? I would think raw source code is of limited utility. A lot of the value is in the heads of the people who wrote it. If you se

by 100k 16y ago

Do people really buy source code? I would think raw source code is of limited utility. A lot of the value is in the heads of the people who wrote it. If you sell source code do you have to include some amount of training/consulting to hand it off? What kind of source code are people buying? Libraries? Windows applications? Finished web apps?

g0atbutt 16y ago
Yes they do. Checkout Code Canyon. They are doing quite well with the same concept.
ladon86 16y ago
Are you kidding? Raw source code has huge utility! Many companies build businesses upon open source software, and this is really no different except they're paying for the code. Understanding the API and integrating it into the current system is all most companies need or want to do, so buying some code off the shelf is a LOT cheaper than the development effort, and in many cases actually less risky, even if they don't fully grok the full source. Of course, support can be sold separately. But that doesn't mean the code itself doesn't have value. Right now I'm using dozens of OSS modules, most of which I'd be happy to pay some money for because of the time they've saved me and my business.
- 100k 16y ago
  I think there is a continuum, from fully supported proprietary executable to tar dump of abandoned code. When I pick an open source library to use, the continued active development, documentation, and support community around it are my main criteria. Much the same is true of commercial software. I have little interest in downloading some random source code off the internet. Maybe that's not what's for sale on these sites but that's what it sounds like from first glance. If you're selling commercial components, why not set up your own website and sell it there?
jasonkester 16y ago
Yes. I lived for a couple years off the proceeds of licensing the source code to one of my sites. If you run a cool service that has no hope of making you money directly, it's worth considering offering the source to big companies that might want to white label it or use it internally.
noodle 16y ago
simple example? wordpress plugins.

by 100k 16y ago

g0atbutt 16y ago

Yes they do. Checkout Code Canyon. They are doing quite well with the same concept.

ladon86 16y ago

Are you kidding? Raw source code has huge utility! Many companies build businesses upon open source software, and this is really no different except they're paying for the code. Understanding the API and integrating it into the current system is all most companies need or want to do, so buying some code off the shelf is a LOT cheaper than the development effort, and in many cases actually less risky, even if they don't fully grok the full source. Of course, support can be sold separately. But that doesn't mean the code itself doesn't have value. Right now I'm using dozens of OSS modules, most of which I'd be happy to pay some money for because of the time they've saved me and my business.

100k 16y ago
I think there is a continuum, from fully supported proprietary executable to tar dump of abandoned code. When I pick an open source library to use, the continued active development, documentation, and support community around it are my main criteria. Much the same is true of commercial software. I have little interest in downloading some random source code off the internet. Maybe that's not what's for sale on these sites but that's what it sounds like from first glance. If you're selling commercial components, why not set up your own website and sell it there?

jasonkester 16y ago

Yes. I lived for a couple years off the proceeds of licensing the source code to one of my sites. If you run a cool service that has no hope of making you money directly, it's worth considering offering the source to big companies that might want to white label it or use it internally.

noodle 16y ago

simple example? wordpress plugins.