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the mainstreaming of open source
Business Week runs a pretty decent story titled A Watershed for Open Source. Here's the lead-in...
In 2005, the software movement finally gained traction in Corporate America and saw a new influx of VC cash. How will 2006 shape up?
Open-source software isn't a new phenomenon. It has been winding its way through the tech world for decades, starting with Richard Stallman's Free Software movement in 1980s. But only in recent years have businesses warmed to the promise of low-cost, openly available software. In fact, open-source programs have become so popular, they now pose a legitimate threat to the established software giants.
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Open Source in the Nonprofit Mainstream?
In the commercial world, open source reached the mainstream when:
(1) Basic R&D was completed that made existing solutions better (Drupal, MySQL, etc.) or new solutions were created (SugarCRM, Compiere, etc.). This is where the venture capital money was mainly invested.
(2) Technology was simplified and standardized. Companies like SpikeSource allowed customers not to worry about whether PHP 4.3.11 and MySQL 4.1.31 were compatible when running CiviCRM 1.3 rev 3044. They just get a "certified" solution.
(3) Consultants were qualified to deploy the software for customers.
(4) Customers got something that met their needs, didn't meet developers' needs, and was "simple."
I think the single largest failure of nonprofit technology over the last 10 years is the lack of an organized sector-wide effort on open source that meets nonprofit needs. Nonprofits shouldn't have to rename volunteers into "campaigns" so that they can re-use a commercial solution. Lets create the right solutions for the sector right the first time. Let's do it for a relatively low cost (<$1m). Lets unleash some pent up social entrepreneurship to do the heavy lifting.
Lets build some specific pieces of nonprofit open source and make sure they measureably impact nonprofit effectiveness. :)
http://www.openngo.org/