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If their software was available from the very start - eg before they had any users, it's quite possible someone else may have 'won'. You can't argue based on a

by axod 18y ago

If their software was available from the very start - eg before they had any users, it's quite possible someone else may have 'won'. You can't argue based on a 'network effect' website that has obvious lock-in. Look at some non-social webapp. Say an online image editor. If the source was available, copy cats competitors could spring up and take away market share. There's no upside to releasing the source code, and obvious downside (Assuming you're in it to make money and not just spread love).

mahmud 18y ago
"If the source was available, copy cats competitors could spring up and take away market share." Image-editing algorithms are published in text-books. Graphics API for the web (flash, java, canvas, etc.) are published in API documentation. Nothing is secret. If someone copies your GPLed Free software and improves on it you can go and copy the improved version if you want it. If a competitor is blindly copying you, you probably have nothing to worry about (should I elaborate?.) And if your competitive edge can be taken away with cut-and-paste, then you have ALLOT to worry about.
- axod 18y ago
  It's a decision that should be up to the author. And I personally have complete respect for both decisions.
  - mahmud 18y ago
    Respects. But allow me to add that the great majority of web startups are running on the value of a "social network". Remove the users and the service is worth nothing. You can't say that about shrink-wrap software; even if the great majority of the people don't use it, there is that one or two lucrative corporate or government contract to make it all worthwhile. So in that light, shouldn't the users of web apps be entitled to something a little more than "free use"? Say, a little assurance that the platform they trust so much of their private lives is transparent, extensible, and should the company sink tomorrow, available for replication? What happens when you strike it rich, sell the startup to a Mega Corp and move to Tahiti? The users will be at the mercy of greedy suits who will fill data warehouses with every click, persona and profile of your users, the very same people who made you rich.
    - axod 18y ago
      I agree, once you've grown to pretty much the size you'll be, and have captured a good amount of your sectors market, for many social based webapps releasing the source code may be a win. Reddit didn't suddenly drop in usage when they did.

by axod 18y ago

mahmud 18y ago

"If the source was available, copy cats competitors could spring up and take away market share." Image-editing algorithms are published in text-books. Graphics API for the web (flash, java, canvas, etc.) are published in API documentation. Nothing is secret. If someone copies your GPLed Free software and improves on it you can go and copy the improved version if you want it. If a competitor is blindly copying you, you probably have nothing to worry about (should I elaborate?.) And if your competitive edge can be taken away with cut-and-paste, then you have ALLOT to worry about.

axod 18y ago
It's a decision that should be up to the author. And I personally have complete respect for both decisions.
- mahmud 18y ago
  Respects. But allow me to add that the great majority of web startups are running on the value of a "social network". Remove the users and the service is worth nothing. You can't say that about shrink-wrap software; even if the great majority of the people don't use it, there is that one or two lucrative corporate or government contract to make it all worthwhile. So in that light, shouldn't the users of web apps be entitled to something a little more than "free use"? Say, a little assurance that the platform they trust so much of their private lives is transparent, extensible, and should the company sink tomorrow, available for replication? What happens when you strike it rich, sell the startup to a Mega Corp and move to Tahiti? The users will be at the mercy of greedy suits who will fill data warehouses with every click, persona and profile of your users, the very same people who made you rich.
  - axod 18y ago
    I agree, once you've grown to pretty much the size you'll be, and have captured a good amount of your sectors market, for many social based webapps releasing the source code may be a win. Reddit didn't suddenly drop in usage when they did.