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Free Software: The Business and Economics of Linux and Open Source

Hello there, free software fans and lovely readers! I’m excited to bring you a new blog series that explores the fascinating world of open-source platforms and their impact on the business landscape. In this series, I’ll share quotes and my notes from “The Business and Economics of Linux and Open Source,” a book that sheds light on the transformative power of open-source communities. We’ll delve into the economic rationale behind community contributions and the strategic benefits of free open-source software for companies. You’re in the right place if you’re curious about the dynamic interplay between open-source and business. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents
book cover: The business and economics of Linux Open source 

This elaborates on the history of free software

Open Source has become a buzzword synonymous with growth and change in computing. This book examines the Open Source movement, what’s worked and why, and explains the technology to the mainstream investor and manager looking to replicate the successes of the Open Source movement.

Free Software

Free is meant to signify freedom, as in free speech, and not to characterize “without cost.“ Free software originated with the Free Software Foundation under the premise that all software should be shared and everyone should have equal access to source code, or the blueprints of the system1.

WordPress bases its Four Freedoms upon the GNU Public License (GPL) the Free Software Foundation put forward. Often, though, we hear two approaches to claiming WordPress is free.

🗽 Free as in Freedom

Open Source

  • License: WordPress is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which means you’re free to use, modify, and distribute the software.
  • Community Contributions: The open-source nature of WordPress allows for a vibrant community of contributors who enhance and secure the platform.

Four Freedoms

  • Alignment: WordPress explicitly aligns itself with the Four Freedoms of Free Software, emphasizing the freedom to use, study, share, and modify the software.
  • Empowerment: This freedom empowers users to tailor their websites according to their specific needs without any restrictions.

🍻 Free as in Beer

No Cost

  • Downloadable: The WordPress software can be downloaded and used without any monetary cost.
  • Affordable Hosting: While hosting and some premium themes/plugins may cost money, the core WordPress software is free to use.

Accessibility

  • Barrier to Entry: The “free as in beer” aspect lowers the barrier to entry, making it accessible for people who might not be able to afford expensive proprietary solutions.
  • Democratization: This enables a broader range of people to establish an online presence, fostering diversity and inclusion.

Conclusion

Free software has revolutionized the tech industry, and its impact on the business landscape is undeniable. The Business and Economics of Linux and Open Source is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the transformative power of open-source communities. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the economic rationale behind community contributions and the strategic benefits of free, open-source software for companies.

WordPress is a prime example of the success of free open-source software. Its alignment with the Four Freedoms of Free Software empowers users to tailor their websites according to their specific needs without any restrictions. The open-source nature of WordPress allows for a vibrant community of contributors who enhance and secure the platform. The “free as in beer” aspect of WordPress lowers the barrier to entry, making it accessible for people who might not be able to afford expensive proprietary solutions. This enables a broader range of people to establish an online presence, fostering diversity and inclusion.

Free software has democratized the tech industry, and its impact will continue to shape the business landscape for years. As we move towards a more open and collaborative future, it’s essential to understand the transformative power of free open-source software and its potential to drive innovation and growth.

  1. Fink, M. (2003). The Business of Linux and Open Source. In _The Business and Economics of Linux and Open Source. essay, Prentice Hall PTR. Page 5. ↩︎

Author

  • Courtney Robertson

    From high school business education to the WordPress Training team, Courtney helps people of all skill levels get their message out. She lives in south-central Pennsylvania, loves coffee, plays the mandolin, and has a very large vegetable garden.

    View all posts Open Source Sr. Web Design & Developer Advocate

Comments

2 responses to “Free Software: The Business and Economics of Linux and Open Source”

  1. Join me as in reading “The Business and Economics of Linux and Open Source”. Today’s topic: Free Software #OpenSource #WordPress

    Hello there, free software fans and lovely readers! I’m excited to br…

  2. Welcome to the third installment in our ongoing quotes and notes inspired by “The Business Value of Linux and Open Source.” Today, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of Open Source CMS with a spo…