4 ms·

Consider the OP's headline. They didn't even describe what their project was. All they said, all they think they needed to say, was that it is Open Source. And

by Veuxdo 3y ago

Consider the OP's headline. They didn't even describe what their project was. All they said, all they think they needed to say, was that it is Open Source. And on HN, it's actually true. Open Source projects get lots of kudos here. The problem is, others may see what is essentially a marketing strategy aimed at a niche audience and conclude that Open Source is an essential, in fact they most essential, part of the business. Hence the need to remind people that Open Source is not a business model.

jraph 3y ago
I consider at some point running my own open source business. It must be around an idea that will speak to me at the time if it ever happens, but the open source part is important to me for ethical reasons. I'm not interested in running a software business if it's not open source. And so I'm interested in reading others about their business experiences around open source. What is their actual project is important since it has consequences on how the business will be run, but the exact project won't matter too much to me as a reader and it does not really matter to me if it doesn't appear in the title, I will click. Now the headline is a bit disappointing since the article is really "How I didn't keep doing open source when I turned my project into a business".
- Veuxdo 3y ago
  There's two valid, and opposing forces at play here: - Motivation is a precious resource. If you are more motivated to work in an Open Source software business, then this will prevent burnout. - You have to ask if you're playing to play, or playing to win [0]. If you're playing a game with self-imposed rules that exist only in your head, you put yourself at a huge disadvantage. [0] https://commoncog.com/playing-to-play-playing-to-win/ https://commoncog.com/playing-to-play-playing-to-win/
  - jraph 3y ago
    That's an interesting perspective, thanks for sharing. If I have to use this frame, the game I play is "Be happy" fundamentally. A way to do this is "Spend time doing things that makes me happy". I'm happy if I agree with what I do (not sufficient, but necessary). Let's assume one needs money to live (another game, this one imposed by society). A way to earn money is work. Work could be purely seen as a way to support one's free time. But work usually takes a lot of time so I'd better have one that makes me happy. I currently work in an open source company so doing non open source would be a downgrade. Now, nothing would prevent me to softly transition, with part time for instance. I can try making "trying to start a business" not too risky. So, play to play or play to win? I think I play to win, the question is which game I play? Running a business will certainly not be the game I play. That would be a means, not an end. A means to spend happy time while also playing the game imposed by society. Now, running my business will need to be more fulfilling than my current position, and the bar is very high. I don't get to work on exactly what I decided and schedule, while very flexible, is imposed, but everything else is great (including nice people to work with, interesting and useful stuff to do, open source, many days off, ...). You nailed it with your remark about motivation and burn out. I can work on non open source code (for instance for internal stuff), but I'd not be happy with proprietary software targeting end users (against my values) and I'm more happy if my time is spent doing open source. Something causing burn out is in fact a move one can't play. Now, open source, if not the easiest path, has its business advantages too. More and more (public) places requires, or favor it. If you happen to target these places, you may be advantaged against your non open source competitors.

by Veuxdo 3y ago

jraph 3y ago

I consider at some point running my own open source business. It must be around an idea that will speak to me at the time if it ever happens, but the open source part is important to me for ethical reasons. I'm not interested in running a software business if it's not open source. And so I'm interested in reading others about their business experiences around open source. What is their actual project is important since it has consequences on how the business will be run, but the exact project won't matter too much to me as a reader and it does not really matter to me if it doesn't appear in the title, I will click. Now the headline is a bit disappointing since the article is really "How I didn't keep doing open source when I turned my project into a business".

Veuxdo 3y ago
There's two valid, and opposing forces at play here: - Motivation is a precious resource. If you are more motivated to work in an Open Source software business, then this will prevent burnout. - You have to ask if you're playing to play, or playing to win [0]. If you're playing a game with self-imposed rules that exist only in your head, you put yourself at a huge disadvantage. [0] https://commoncog.com/playing-to-play-playing-to-win/ https://commoncog.com/playing-to-play-playing-to-win/
- jraph 3y ago
  That's an interesting perspective, thanks for sharing. If I have to use this frame, the game I play is "Be happy" fundamentally. A way to do this is "Spend time doing things that makes me happy". I'm happy if I agree with what I do (not sufficient, but necessary). Let's assume one needs money to live (another game, this one imposed by society). A way to earn money is work. Work could be purely seen as a way to support one's free time. But work usually takes a lot of time so I'd better have one that makes me happy. I currently work in an open source company so doing non open source would be a downgrade. Now, nothing would prevent me to softly transition, with part time for instance. I can try making "trying to start a business" not too risky. So, play to play or play to win? I think I play to win, the question is which game I play? Running a business will certainly not be the game I play. That would be a means, not an end. A means to spend happy time while also playing the game imposed by society. Now, running my business will need to be more fulfilling than my current position, and the bar is very high. I don't get to work on exactly what I decided and schedule, while very flexible, is imposed, but everything else is great (including nice people to work with, interesting and useful stuff to do, open source, many days off, ...). You nailed it with your remark about motivation and burn out. I can work on non open source code (for instance for internal stuff), but I'd not be happy with proprietary software targeting end users (against my values) and I'm more happy if my time is spent doing open source. Something causing burn out is in fact a move one can't play. Now, open source, if not the easiest path, has its business advantages too. More and more (public) places requires, or favor it. If you happen to target these places, you may be advantaged against your non open source competitors.