How does open source the community survive?

[silverscorpion]

Hi buddies,
I just had a silly doubt. We've all been using os like linux and softwares like firefox, picasa, VLC media player and a host of other free tools. My queston is who is funding these projects and what is the profit they get by providing these freely to the public. Google also provides a lot of free software solutions. It actually conducts an annual open source coding contest to recognise the best coding talent... So in what way does these help them economically? Why are they doing it?...
Pls clarify...

[Abhilash41]

Most professionals involved in open source development make a living by teaching, or consulting. Organizations do the same thing--teaching, consulting, products/companies.

As for companies encouraging open source coding through competitions, doesn't it pay off by attracting the programmers towards these companies....?

[mahul]

This is my doubt too. just because they r consulting/teaching, would it still pay off giving off software for free(when they have invested so much time and energy developing it) . And to top it all, linux distributing organizations even actaully send interested people linux distribution media(cd's or dvd's) free of cost. Now where do they finance this from??

[Abhilash41]

Open source isn't exactly the non-profit venture most take it to be. Creativity and freedom are important aspects of the philosophy but that does not mean to imply that open-source can not be profitable. Check these links:
1. http://www.linux.com/articles/29045
2. money from open source

[mahul]

thanxx abhilash...the links were cool....really cleared the whole thing up

[Abhilash41]

you are welcome.

[ash]

Ah.. we can use this concept to make CE a business too! We've always been striving to create open source programs.. this could be an incentive to start to actually develop them.

[The_Big_K]

Originally Posted by ash

Ah.. we can use this concept to make CE a business too! We've always been striving to create open source programs.. this could be an incentive to start to actually develop them.

..and that is the game plan

Generate wealth & distribute wealth - that's what we will do. But some time must pass before we achieve that stage.

-The Big K-