Comments on: Who Is The Openest Of Them All? http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/ Startup and Tech News Sat, 17 May 2008 09:47:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: A Radical Option For Yahoo: Out-Open Google http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1981108 A Radical Option For Yahoo: Out-Open Google Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:24:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1981108 [...] only way to fight Google is to use its own weapons against it. Google enters new markets by embracing open standards in areas where it does not currently compete. But when it comes to search and advertising (how it makes money), it is a black box. If Yahoo were [...] […] only way to fight Google is to use its own weapons against it. Google enters new markets by embracing open standards in areas where it does not currently compete. But when it comes to search and advertising (how it makes money), it is a black box. If Yahoo were […]

]]> By: New Year’s Tech Resolutions http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1899526 New Year’s Tech Resolutions Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:14:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1899526 [...] to Let Go. Don’t repeat the mistakes of history. Open up a little bit. You are helping to bring the phone and other mobile devices into the digital age. [...] […] to Let Go. Don’t repeat the mistakes of history. Open up a little bit. You are helping to bring the phone and other mobile devices into the digital age. […]

]]> By: David Evans http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1899067 David Evans Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:40:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1899067 Absolutely right. Opening a platform for others to build things on top of it is always a business strategy for earning profits. Staying pretty closed is sometimes a very profitable approach. Steve Jobs may be having the last laugh on that. People complained that Apple was dumb not making the MacOS more open to hardware vendors back in the 1980s. But by differentiating the MacOS from Windows, Apple managed to stay in the game unlike all the other companies that tried to succeed in personal computers but failed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. And Apple stayed around long enough to hit a home run with the closed iPod/iTunes business. Most businesses built on software platforms find that the value of creating a rich ecosystem outweighs the loss of control. That’s been the secret of Microsoft with Windows and Sony with its PlayStation. And it's what Google is doing with APIs that can help it drive traffic to its ad platform. Companies that make the right decision on openness can earn profits that will justify their investments and risk. They should make that decision based on hard calculation and not ideology. For more on software platforms, see my book: Invisible Engines: How Software Platforms Drive Innovation and Transform Industries. Absolutely right. Opening a platform for others to build things on top of it is always a business strategy for earning profits. Staying pretty closed is sometimes a very profitable approach. Steve Jobs may be having the last laugh on that. People complained that Apple was dumb not making the MacOS more open to hardware vendors back in the 1980s. But by differentiating the MacOS from Windows, Apple managed to stay in the game unlike all the other companies that tried to succeed in personal computers but failed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. And Apple stayed around long enough to hit a home run with the closed iPod/iTunes business. Most businesses built on software platforms find that the value of creating a rich ecosystem outweighs the loss of control. That’s been the secret of Microsoft with Windows and Sony with its PlayStation. And it’s what Google is doing with APIs that can help it drive traffic to its ad platform. Companies that make the right decision on openness can earn profits that will justify their investments and risk. They should make that decision based on hard calculation and not ideology.
For more on software platforms, see my book: Invisible Engines: How Software Platforms Drive Innovation and Transform Industries.

]]> By: David http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1894048 David Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:03:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1894048 Wikia looks like the most promising "Open" project 2008... I'm glad that there are more and more companies and organizations putting there software open source. As mentioned, the Internet is based on open technologies and I think open source improves the web for everyone. Of course, it might not be acceptable for every product, and there are also some drawbacks of open technplogies, but it's great that companies at least think about it. Wikia looks like the most promising “Open” project 2008… I’m glad that there are more and more companies and organizations putting there software open source.

As mentioned, the Internet is based on open technologies and I think open source improves the web for everyone. Of course, it might not be acceptable for every product, and there are also some drawbacks of open technplogies, but it’s great that companies at least think about it.

]]> By: Anthony Kuhn http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1893944 Anthony Kuhn Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:30:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1893944 Erick: Openness is the new closedness. I linked to your post from my blog at the Innovators Network in hopes that some of my readers will benefit from a visit to TechCrunch to read your complete piece on openness. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us interested reader. Happy New Year! Anthony Kuhn Erick:

Openness is the new closedness. I linked to your post from my blog at the Innovators Network in hopes that some of my readers will benefit from a visit to TechCrunch to read your complete piece on openness. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us interested reader.

Happy New Year!

Anthony Kuhn

]]> By: bOK http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1893663 bOK Tue, 01 Jan 2008 22:00:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1893663 what I'd really like to see is Microsoft really join the bandwagon... Aydin. what I’d really like to see is Microsoft really join the bandwagon…

Aydin.

]]> By: Khris http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1893282 Khris Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:56:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1893282 Hi! IMO, your reference to Apple wanting to protect the experience of the iPhone from random developers is misconceived. Apple wants to control what types of applications go on the device so they can control the money flow - period. Open = Community owned source code for all components *not* naming your product "Open". "Do no evil" is not the same as "Do Good" HNY! Khris, CEO <a href="http://www.js-kit.com" rel="nofollow"> JS-Kit </a> khris at js-kit.com Hi!

IMO, your reference to Apple wanting to protect the experience of the iPhone from random developers is misconceived.

Apple wants to control what types of applications go on the device so they can control the money flow - period.

Open = Community owned source code for all components *not* naming your product “Open”. “Do no evil” is not the same as “Do Good”

HNY!

Khris, CEO
JS-Kit

khris at js-kit.com

]]> By: Deepak http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1892965 Deepak Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:23:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1892965 Does anyone actually believe that open = altruistic? Openness is a strategic, usually platform level, decision that makes a lot of sense in most cases, but just being open for the sake of being open is just plain silly. That said I also believe in what James is talking about, and that a new ecosystem will come up around open content. It's just a question of the business models that can be developed around a model. If one can be, then the model can be sustained. As someone partial the open data model, the hope is that it happens. Does anyone actually believe that open = altruistic? Openness is a strategic, usually platform level, decision that makes a lot of sense in most cases, but just being open for the sake of being open is just plain silly.

That said I also believe in what James is talking about, and that a new ecosystem will come up around open content. It’s just a question of the business models that can be developed around a model. If one can be, then the model can be sustained. As someone partial the open data model, the hope is that it happens.

]]> By: James W. Hofmann http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1892129 James W. Hofmann Tue, 01 Jan 2008 09:49:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1892129 I have a very strong feeling that the next big thing in openness is open content. Strong enough that I took a Flash game I made and currently serve up with ads(albeit to no profit), and made the whole thing open. This is a different thing from a platform, of course. I think the principle is more wiki-like, but I'm pretty sure a new mode of creator payment can come of this. I have a very strong feeling that the next big thing in openness is open content. Strong enough that I took a Flash game I made and currently serve up with ads(albeit to no profit), and made the whole thing open.

This is a different thing from a platform, of course. I think the principle is more wiki-like, but I’m pretty sure a new mode of creator payment can come of this.

]]> By: Jon http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891687 Jon Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:00:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891687 Companies will continue to open up as long as the revenues (real or perceived) exist. Wordpress is open source and their competition whose name escapes me at the moment recently opened their software as a result (they had no choice, no matter how you spin it). I would personally prefer to see more open standards then open software, google is beginning to open that door but... the question on that front is to what end (ei: what's in it for them). Jon Companies will continue to open up as long as the revenues (real or perceived) exist. Wordpress is open source and their competition whose name escapes me at the moment recently opened their software as a result (they had no choice, no matter how you spin it). I would personally prefer to see more open standards then open software, google is beginning to open that door but… the question on that front is to what end (ei: what’s in it for them).

Jon

]]> By: Beezlebub http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891640 Beezlebub Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:23:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891640 @bill1879: I was considering converting to christianity until I saw your offensive post. In the second sentence you say to leave the internet alone... yet you managed to find techcrunch and post... it is this kind of hypocrisy that has made me decide that being the ruler of dark forces is not so bad. You see, we've got one thing going for us, we're consistent in our viewpoint and we never ever impose our views on others, especially in such a rude manner as you have demonstrated. If God would let me keep my pitchfork, I was truly going to convert, but now you've ruined that, nice going jackass. @bill1879: I was considering converting to christianity until I saw your offensive post. In the second sentence you say to leave the internet alone… yet you managed to find techcrunch and post… it is this kind of hypocrisy that has made me decide that being the ruler of dark forces is not so bad.

You see, we’ve got one thing going for us, we’re consistent in our viewpoint and we never ever impose our views on others, especially in such a rude manner as you have demonstrated. If God would let me keep my pitchfork, I was truly going to convert, but now you’ve ruined that, nice going jackass.

]]> By: What Would Jesus Spam? http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891248 What Would Jesus Spam? Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:20:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891248 Do you think it's relevant to comment on an article about open source technology by providing a link to some religious propaganda? Please be open minded, but retain relevance. Do you think it’s relevant to comment on an article about open source technology by providing a link to some religious propaganda? Please be open minded, but retain relevance.

]]> By: Dheeraj Sultanian http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891204 Dheeraj Sultanian Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:02:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891204 Wikia ftw! Wikia will displace any and all existing social media/websites including google or facebook using true open-source methods. It is inevitable. It is the one company Google cannot buy and cannot win against. The semantic search in Wikia Beta is absolutely incredible. Google can build its datacenters and deliver cloud computing, but search and social information will belong to everyone, not just one company - and will be done through Wikia. Wikia ftw! Wikia will displace any and all existing social media/websites including google or facebook using true open-source methods. It is inevitable. It is the one company Google cannot buy and cannot win against. The semantic search in Wikia Beta is absolutely incredible. Google can build its datacenters and deliver cloud computing, but search and social information will belong to everyone, not just one company - and will be done through Wikia.

]]> By: bill1879 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891198 bill1879 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:01:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891198 please be open minded and look at this link http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/ please be open minded and look at this link
http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/

]]> By: Cocoliso http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891182 Cocoliso Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:50:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891182 <strong>Open Source Doesn’t Make Cents...</strong> There’s been a lot of talk lately about open source. Everyone wants to open everything up and comparisons are being made as to which companies (Google) and projects (Facebook) are the most open. Openness is becoming to be almost an expectation,... Open Source Doesn’t Make Cents…

There’s been a lot of talk lately about open source. Everyone wants to open everything up and comparisons are being made as to which companies (Google) and projects (Facebook) are the most open. Openness is becoming to be almost an expectation,…

]]> By: Jeremy LeBard http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891164 Jeremy LeBard Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:27:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891164 Open social networks will always do better, I believe. I think there is a correlation to the benefits seen in real-world countries with open trade policies. Jeffery Sachs has some interesting things to say about the term 3rd world and how it can be related to closed border policies. More about his book The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time, here: http://www.booktagger.com/node/737 Open social networks will always do better, I believe. I think there is a correlation to the benefits seen in real-world countries with open trade policies. Jeffery Sachs has some interesting things to say about the term 3rd world and how it can be related to closed border policies.

More about his book The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time, here: http://www.booktagger.com/node/737

]]> By: Steel http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891101 Steel Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:52:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891101 I think it's far fetched that a company will become totally open when it comes to revenue loss or loss of market share to competitors. People offer up their ideas to these open source formats, and wallah, the company gets the gold mine, the developer gets the shaft. Free enterprise eh? For anyone who thinks otherwise, you best hang up your bong. I think it’s far fetched that a company will become totally open when it comes to revenue loss or loss of market share to competitors. People offer up their ideas to these open source formats, and wallah, the company gets the gold mine, the developer gets the shaft. Free enterprise eh? For anyone who thinks otherwise, you best hang up your bong.

]]> By: BLin http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891084 BLin Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:41:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891084 Facebook is just a wrong example here. Facebook API is not open. A true open API should allow data to be taken in or out of network. Facebook only allows data to go in, and that's why most Facebook apps are so crappy. They are just glorified widget. Facebook is just a wrong example here. Facebook API is not open. A true open API should allow data to be taken in or out of network. Facebook only allows data to go in, and that’s why most Facebook apps are so crappy. They are just glorified widget.

]]> By: Joshua Walters http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891081 Joshua Walters Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:38:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891081 I think even the perception of being open excites people now. Open has become the latest fad. *Story Submitted to digg.com* I think even the perception of being open excites people now.

Open has become the latest fad.

*Story Submitted to digg.com*

]]> By: http://www.meetingflex.com/SearchVideo.aspx http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891012 http://www.meetingflex.com/SearchVideo.aspx Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:58:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1891012 My vote is on OpenSocial. Video Search http://www.meetingflex.com/SearchVideo.aspx My vote is on OpenSocial.

Video Search
http://www.meetingflex.com/SearchVideo.aspx

]]> By: AnonTroll http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1890985 AnonTroll Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:49:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1890985 You hit it on the head with your last sentence "Don't confuse openness with altruism". I have been saying this for a long time now, in particular wrt Google and their open source apps. Trust me, while they are touting open source as the public message to gain favors with developers, they wouldn't do it if it doesn't benefit them in their quest of dominance. Many developers fall for the PR crap that Google dishes out while all the time maintaining the "Do No Evil" motto, what a crock. You hit it on the head with your last sentence “Don’t confuse openness with altruism”. I have been saying this for a long time now, in particular wrt Google and their open source apps. Trust me, while they are touting open source as the public message to gain favors with developers, they wouldn’t do it if it doesn’t benefit them in their quest of dominance. Many developers fall for the PR crap that Google dishes out while all the time maintaining the “Do No Evil” motto, what a crock.

]]> By: Anup Jadhav http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1890960 Anup Jadhav Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:40:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1890960 You missed one (I think)important point, one more reason why large companies try to venture in open source arena is that, they want early adoption of their technology by developers, and possibly pick up (fresh)ideas and innovative features voluntarily proposed by open source developers, which could help them propel their flagship product. You missed one (I think)important point, one more reason why large companies try to venture in open source arena is that, they want early adoption of their technology by developers, and possibly pick up (fresh)ideas and innovative features voluntarily proposed by open source developers, which could help them propel their flagship product.

]]> By: EH http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1890952 EH Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:36:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1890952 As for the story, it's a huge red herring. Lots of words, but not much in the way of content. <i>"The best way to build a technology platform is to make it as open as possible so that the risk of proprietary lock-in is taken off the table for other contributors."</i> No, the use of open standards lowers overhead and increases margins. That's it. Most companies would close off their business and userlands in a New York Minute if they had enough business. The number of companies who want to be ISC or the Apache Group is statistically insignificant to those who want to be Microsoft or Apple. In other words, the premise of this story is entirely imaginary. As for the story, it’s a huge red herring. Lots of words, but not much in the way of content.

“The best way to build a technology platform is to make it as open as possible so that the risk of proprietary lock-in is taken off the table for other contributors.”

No, the use of open standards lowers overhead and increases margins. That’s it. Most companies would close off their business and userlands in a New York Minute if they had enough business. The number of companies who want to be ISC or the Apache Group is statistically insignificant to those who want to be Microsoft or Apple.

In other words, the premise of this story is entirely imaginary.

]]> By: EH http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1890941 EH Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:31:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1890941 I love it when site spammers misspell their own name. I love it when site spammers misspell their own name.

]]> By: What's Hot Today.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1890926 What's Hot Today.com Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:22:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/31/who-is-the-openest-of-them-all/#comment-1890926 Social networking site seems to be all the rage. http://www.whatshottody.com Social networking site seems to be all the rage.

http://www.whatshottody.com

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