[FC-discuss] Get Satisfaction and open source?

[Rob Myers]

Nelson Pavlosky wrote:

> Perhaps more importantly, how could we encourage Get Satisfaction to
> open source more of their code, given that many open source projects are
> already using it?

Get Satisfaction aren't selling code, they are selling a service. Making
all of their code Free will not stop them from selling that service. But
the problem is that it will allow others to provide that service themselves.

I don't think this will be a major problem though. Get Satisfaction own
the brand and the project, and have a proven track record in running the
software. Reliability and convenience are great selling points. So they
will be able to charge for installation and support on third-party sites
 in addition to their current hosting work, much as the Blog engine
companies do. Third party installations will increase demand for hosted
solutions. Network effects are good. :-)

Using the Affero GPL (rather than the MIT Licence) would protect them
against competitors or users modifying their code and not contributing
back the changes.

- Rob.