Is Open-Source An Entry Barrier?

[trillianjedi]

There are some ubiquitous open-source applications out there - Apache, SendMail etc. Mostly server-side stuff, but applications which have been deployed by, literally, millions.

But what is out there in open-source land that gets deployed by the man on the street, the non-tech? I wonder if the nature of open-source software is itself a reason for lack of wide-scale consumer adoption.

Could the next "big thing" - a killer app - be open-source?

[jecasc]

There are some Open Source applications that are used by the man on the street, too. Like Firefox, Thunderbird, Konqueror, Open Office, The Gimp to name a few.

I don't think it's the nature of the software that hampers distribution. The problem is when non-tech people buy computers they usually prefer those coming with pre installed sofware they know like Internet Explorer or MS-Office.

[jdMorgan]

I think the problem is that except for techies, no-one knows these applications exist. Without a corporate advertising budget to make people aware they exist, adoption will be slow. So it's the advertising costs that are the barrier to entry.

Not once have I run into a non-techie who's heard of Open Office, for example.

Firefox broke the mold by advertising to consumers in the New York Times, and has benefited from some good press in the "technology" segments of various newscasts. If other open-source projects can afford to follow suit, then adoption of their products might be wider.

Jim

[Leosghost]

There is also the extremely widespread ( but totally illogical ) mindset that says "If it's free or cheap ..it must be crap" ..

People usually equate price with quality ..which suits the ad business and vested interests , politicians and shamans of all colours and varities just fine ..and their shills are ever present ..and doubtless will join in this thread ..

most of the best things are still free ..( such as breathing ..at least for the moment it's free although one is being asked to pay all the time for air which is clean ..it was dirtied due to the actions of others making their profits ) ..

most of my favourite and most used apps are either open source or postcard ware ..and in a sense thats why we post here ..helping someone else ..helps everyone ..oneself included ..

[edited by: Leosghost at 1:44 pm (utc) on Oct. 20, 2006]

[trillianjedi]

Firefox

Until you mentioned that and reminded me that it's an open-source project, I'd completely forgotten that it was an open-source project.

So continuing that thought, perhaps it's just better to not mention it.

Does the phrase put off the wider audience?

[jdMorgan]

I don't think the wider audience has even heard the phrase. And if they did, they wouldn't comprehend it unless they are coders themselves.

I've installed Firefox for many friends and clients. They don't seem to care where it comes from as long as it works.

So I stick by my hypothesis that if open source had an advetising budget, it would be widely-adopted by those who are tired of high costs and unpatched security holes in commercial products.

Jim

[DamonHD]

Hi jdMorgan,

Yes, I think you have it right, as long as people can understand that the F/OSS kind of "free" doesn't come with the kind of ugly catches that comes with "free" as in "free lunch".

Usually, if something seems too good to be true then it is. With F/OSS, however, you might just be in luck!

Rgds

Damon

[DrDoc]

Not once have I run into a non-techie who's heard of Open Office, for example.

And, I have had the opposite experience. I have run into lots of non-techies who have both heard of and use Open Office.

Sea3D/Cities3D (computer version of the world famous Settlers of Catan board game and all its expansions) is open source, which is used by tens of thousands. The fact that it is open source is well known by most users.

There are several other open source examples out there. SpamBayes, to mention another.