Recently Scott McNealy spoke to the Sun OS Ambassadors at our semi-annual conference in Menlo Park CA. He told us that he is frequently asked by customers:
- Why Sun is doing this whole "open source" thing and giving away software for free?
- How can Sun expect to make any money with free software?
- How is this good for customers?
He gave us his five reasons.
- Free means low barrier to entry. Stated another way, "College students and developers don't pay for software anyway, we want to make sure that the software they're using is Sun's, so why not give it to them." By providing our core OS, developer tools and web infrastructure tools to students, companies and independent developers at no charge, we gain mind share among those people who "join things rather than buy things." When they move into the enterprise, they will start buying products and support from those companies with which they are familiar.
- Open source as a research and development multiplier. Sun can multiply our $2 billion in R&D funds by leveraging the R&D of the open source communities. Open sourcing of Java, OpenOffice, Solaris and other technologies allows us to take advantage of the HUGE R&D budgets of IBM, ATT, Nokia and others. Not to mention the plentiful resources in the emerging markets in China, India and South America.
- Security. Whitfield Diffie has said, "the secret to strong security: less reliance on secrets." As an anecdotal example, Java is the single largest platform in the world installed on billions of devices (much more widely deployed than MS Windows). Yet you would be hard pressed to name a Java virus. This is due in part to its open, community driven development model.
- Partnering and proliferation of our technology. Having the Sparc processor technology easily licensed, for example, has allowed our partner Fujitsu to design their own implementation of the Sparc V9 chip architecture. As a result, our new M-series servers are available from both Sun and Fujitsu providing a dual-source option for customers. Products from both companies run Solaris and our other software products. Since open sourcing the UltraSparc T1 chip design, at least two other implementations have been designed for embedded devices further opening new markets to Sun's intellectual property.
- Low barriers to exit. By conforming to open document formats and web standards we can ensure our customers that they won't have that "locked-in feeling" they get when they choose Microsoft, Oracle, BEA, z/OS or other proprietary product families. The cost to exit these proprietary technologies dwarfs the acquisition costs. Sun can help reduce customers' cost to exit by using open standards and open source implementations. This also provides customers with more choice. In the case of ODF, for example, customers can now choose office automation packages from Adobe, Sun, IBM, Google or the free OpenOffice suite rather than having the data held hostage by proprietary MS Office formats. They can choose to run these suites on Windows, MacOS, Solaris, BSD or any of the Linux variants.
Why should you care?
To summarize, Sun's strategy of making our products free and open is designed to make the entire planet familiar with Sun's products. We then have the opportunity to offer support, services, training and systems for their enterprise computing needs. This helps customers by providing them more choices at lower cost and allowing them to move from one vendor to another more easily.
There is one other issue that tends to crop up for vendors of proprietary software: the continuing costs of maintaining software past its useful value proposition to the vendor.
Simon Phipps published a blog entry on the barriers to releasing some of out older drivers to the community. It turns out that just figuring out what bits and documentation can and can't be released because of dependencies on proprietary third parties is expensive and may sometimes be impossible. This kind of non-value added activity forms a continuing burden on the "owner" of the intellectual property long past its useful life.
Posted by Louis F. Springer on October 03, 2007 at 05:43 PM EDT #
This is great. I love Nevada. It's light years better than Solaris 10 (cosmetically w/ JDS & feature wise too). But I can't deploy it in production b/c I can't get support from Sun (a huge risk I'm not willing to take). When will Sun get moving & release Nevada as Solaris 11?
Posted by Dirk Pitt on October 03, 2007 at 07:14 PM EDT #
By wild concidence, I'm learning about those topics this week. While I can't be specific, I can say that Project Indiana is moving in that direction of a supported distribution.
Posted by Jim Laurent on October 03, 2007 at 07:23 PM EDT #
Another major point here is the elimination of the forced upgrade treadmill. The shrinkwrap market is simply obsolete. Free software with optional paid support is the only long term viable model left.
Posted by Matthew Alton on October 05, 2007 at 09:42 AM EDT #
Thank you for the information.
http://www.cebeci.info
Posted by new software on June 09, 2009 at 04:36 PM EDT #
As a person who is 100% microsoft free at home and work, I'm not the best resource to help you with this problem. The forums or email lists at the Virtual Box community site, however should be able to help you.
http://www.watchrolexshop.com
http://www.gamegoldme.com
http://www.cheap-lotrogold.com
http://www.globalsale.me/Aion-gold-083.aspx
http://www.cheap-gamegold.org
http://www.gamegoldvip.org
Posted by replica rolex on June 25, 2009 at 12:46 AM EDT #
commercial printing
commercial printing like hot pancakes come the month of December. Every end-of-the-year transactions, impressive sales are made with commercial printing alone. Whether for personal, individual or corporate uses, cards are simply useful in all ends.<a href="http://www.7days-printing.com"> commercial printing </a>. Our commercial printing works closely with our customers to create the best card designs for your business. [URL=http://www.7days-printing.com]commercial printing[/URL]
We are an online commercial printing company that provides various services for making cards. Our company is composed of people who are experts in commercial printing and effective commercial printing facilities. Our commercial printing can create cards that you can use for type of advertisement. We can offer high quality production of cards using different commercial printing services. We usually use commercial printing for making cards.
membership cards
membership cards, membership cards are one of the best ways you can step ahead of your competion. Their durability shows your customers that you are building a long lasting relationship with them and that you value their membership cards.
<a href="http://www.7days-plasticcards.co.uk"> membership cards </a> our membership cards works closely with our customers to create the best card designs for your business. [URL=http://www.7days-plasticards.co.uk]membership cards[/URL] Check you membership cards your cards online today and we will start the process to make your new membership cards .For customers who have never ordered membership cards before, it is simple to find out membership cards .we also have made available an informative membership cards our customer support professinals today if you need help with your membership cards or if you have questions regarding the membership cards printing process.
plastic card manufacturer
plastic card manufacturer is popular with business owners who are looking for a unique way to promote their companies. A plastic card manufacturer’s card is a great way to distinguish your business from others that may be competing with you.
[URL=http://www.7daysprinting.com]plastic card manufacturer[/URL].The people to whom you give a plastic card manufacturer’s card is much more likely to remember you because your plastic card manufacturer’s card distinguishes your business. We’ll present some information about high quality plastic card manufacturer’s card for business owners who are interested in using this plastic card manufacturer’s card as it is cost-effective tool to increase traffic, sales and customer base.<a href="http://www.7daysprinting.com"> plastic card manufacturer</a>. plastic card manufacturer’s card degisns can be printed on two basic types of stock. You know that plastic card manufacturer’s card stock has a significant advantage over paper because it is more durable and feels different from typical buseness cards. This is plastic card manufacturer’s card’s advantages. A plastic card manufacturer’s card is an especially good choice for high tech companies that might want to use the plastic card manufacturer’s card as a plastic.
hologram security
after hologram security in many years of experience, we have developed a step-by-step procedure that keeps you ,the customer, in full control of your order.
[URL=http://www.hologram-sticker.co.uk]hologram security [/URL]And we know you will remember the hologram security. You can jost log yourself into our members area and and you will see the hologram security. The hologram security is quick and easy to find. If you have questions, please view our company. We with hologram security will be happy to help you.
<a href="http://www.hologram-sticker.co.uk">hologram security</a>. hologram security offer quality service as well as expert support. With hologram security, you will receive free art work&sepup of your graphic design. That’s right ,every customer has the chance to know our hologram security. that is usually enough time to recognize the hologram security. you will be pleased with our serveice in hologram security.
plastic card design
the plastic card design and other types of plastic cards for some of the most recognizable and prestigious names around. Our company made its mark with full plastic card design. plastic card design just sits there, quietly waiting to be found.
<a href="http://www.dynamicworldwide.co.uk"> plastic card design </a>. The plastic card design represent the front line image of your business, after all, plastic card design is very often used to make first contact with a prospect. plastic card design is imperative that your primary marketing tools portray professionalism and high quality. [URL=http://www.dynamicworldwide.co.uk]plastic card design[/URL]
Moreover, efforts put towards your plastic card design card, will give your customers a sense of how much attention is brought to your products and services. Our plastic card design will help you competing with others to get customers to contact you. plastic card design will help you grap attention.
metal business card
the mental business card and other types of plastic cards for some of the most recognizable and prestigious names around. Our company made its mark with full mental business card. mental business card just sits there, quietly waiting to be found.<a href="http://www.metal-card.co.uk"> metal business card </a>. The mental business card represent the front line image of your business, after all, mental business card is very often used to make first contact with a prospect. mental business card is imperative that your primary marketing tools portray professionalism and high quality. [URL=http://www.metal-card.co.uk]metal business card[/URL]
Moreover, efforts put towards your mental business card card, will give your customers a sense of how much attention is brought to your products and services. Our mental business card will help you competing with others to get customers to contact you. mental business card will help you grap attention.
gift bag printing
the gift bag printing and other types of plastic cards for some of the most recognizable and prestigious names around. Our company made its mark with full gift bag printing. gift bag printing just sits there, quietly waiting to be found.
<a href="http://www.printing-gift.co.uk"> gift bag printing </a>. The gift bag printing represent the front line image of your business, after all, gift bag printing is very often used to make first contact with a prospect. gift bag printing is imperative that your primary marketing tools portray professionalism and high quality.
[URL=http://www.printing-gift.co.uk]gift bag printing[/URL]Moreover, efforts put towards your gift bag printing card, will give your customers a sense of how much attention is brought to your products and services. Our gift bag printing will help you competing with others to get customers to contact you. gift bag printing card will help you grap attention.
smart card supplier
You might want to consider a smart card supplier with printing in a vivid color. Like most other types of business cards, smart card supplier ‘s a good idea to keep the design simple. [URL=http://www.smartcard-supplier.co.uk]smart card supplier[/URL]
This is also true of any artwork you might want to use on a unique smart card supplier. The smart card supplier will emphasize your message and make people easy to remember. smart card supplier include many things. A smart card supplier can be printed on bothe sides. A smart card supplier tends to encourage customers to keep it rather than discard it .<a href="http://www.smartcard-supplier.co.uk"> smart card supplier </a>. smart card supplier includes many techniques and tips. And the smart card supplier hasmany types. Owners who are looking for smart card supplier should seriously consider plastic rather than paper cards. Due to their versatility and impact, smart card supplier is a great and cost effective way to promote companies all over the world.
Posted by molly on July 24, 2009 at 09:59 AM EDT #