[nylug-talk] open source/closed source

[Paul Robbins]

Let me preface my post with the following line. I hope this is the right
forum for such a question and I do not intend to start a flame war.

In looking at OSS and the future of applications on Linux, I am interested
in finding out opinions or facts about open source software and companies
who write closed source software.  The wheel began spinning on this topic
when I started looking at options for filing my tax return.  I decided to
look into a software product, such as Turbo Tax.  We run Linux on all
systems in my apartment, so trying to find a viable solution became a
problem. We do not run Windows, so how do we go about finding the software
app we want. Of course I will mess with WINE and other tools, that is not
the point of this post. The point is to ask about acceptance and possibility
of software for Linux.  If the makers of a product like Turbo Tax decided
they wanted to make a version for Linux, would it have to be open source?
My initial thought is no, since I think other software products are
available for Linux for a fee.  But is that fee just for support, or for the
boxed software?  If a vendor can technically sell COTS software for Linux,
how would the community react?  I would assume someone like RMS wouldn't
like the concept, but is it a possibility?  I very much enjoy my linux
systems and have even gotten my wife to completely switch at home, but there
are still a few things she has to do on her work PC that she cannot do on
Linux.  I think many of those issue would be resolved if a company wrote
their package for Linux as well. But what are the barriers to that taking
place? Would the community "force" that product to be open source? I think
that fear has some impact on the lack of options for software on Linux.
Could EA Sports create a Linux version of one of they games and sell it
closed, or would all of that have to be opened (either legally or by
community pressure)?

I know there are some in the LUG that probably disagree with the question
all together because they feel all code should be open.  If that is the
case, what options are available for a company to make money off of open
source code.  I know the currently models say that support or dual licensing
is the key, and for many products, that is very true. But take the two
examples I mentioned above. If Turbo Tax created an open source Linux
version, how much would they really make in support. I would assume that the
company currently does not receive a lot of calls from Windows customers
about help with installation or support (maybe I am wrong).  Or the game
company.  What need would their be for a dual license? Who really would want
to extend a football game?

I know this post may seem to be all over the place, so i apologize about the
lack of structure. As someone who would like to see the option of a Linux
based system increase, I would like to see what others feel like the future
of software products for Linux is/will be.

Thanks for any insight.

~Paul