The Magic Cauldron --Eric Raymond

["T. V. Raman" <raman@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Omitted to attach the abstract and URL the first time
around.
http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/writings/magic-cauldron/

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The Magic Cauldron

by Eric S. Raymond

June 1999

                                                                              

This paper analyzes the evolving economic substrate of the open-source
phenomenon. We first explode some prevalent myths about the funding of program
development and the price structure of software. We present a game-theory
analysis of the stability of open-source cooperation. We present eight models
for sustainable funding of open-source development; two non-profit, seven
for-profit. We continue to develop a qualitative theory of when it is
economically rational to be closed. We then examine some novel additional
mechanisms the market is now inventing to fund for-profit open-source
development, including the reinvention of the patronage system and task
markets. We conclude with some tentative predictions of the future.
                                                                              


1. Indistinguishable From Magic


2. Beyond Geeks Bearing Gifts


3. The Manufacturing Delusion


4. The ``information wants to be free'' Myth


5. The Inverse Commons


6. Reasons for Closing Source


7. Use-Value Funding Models

   o 7.1 The Apache case: cost-sharing
   o 7.2 The Cisco case: risk-spreading


8. Why Sale Value is Problematic


9. Indirect Sale-Value Models

   o 9.1 Loss-Leader/Market Positioner
   o 9.2 Widget Frosting
   o 9.3 Give Away the Recipe, Open A Restaurant
   o 9.4 Accessorizing
   o 9.5 Free the Future, Sell the Present
   o 9.6 Free the Software, Sell the Brand
   o 9.7 Free the Software, Sell the Content


10. When To Be Open, When To Be Closed

   o 10.1 What Are the Payoffs?
   o 10.2 How Do They Interact?
   o 10.3 Doom: A Case Study
   o 10.4 Knowing When To Let Go


11. The Business Ecology of Open Source


12. Coping With Success


13. Open R&D and the Reinvention of Patronage


14. Getting There From Here


15. Conclusion: Life After The Revolution


16. Bibliography and Acknowledgements


17. History
                                                                              

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-- 
Best Regards,
--raman

      Adobe Systems                 Tel: 1 408 536 3945   (W14-128)
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    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are my own and in no way should be taken
as representative of my employer, Adobe Systems Inc.
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