How to make money from opensource

Evaggelos Balaskasebalaskas@ebalaskas.gr

Νίκος Ρούσσοςnikos@autoverse.net

          fosscomm 2011

I am ......... a company(saving money)

●No license payment (linux servers/desktop systems)●You can use & modify Open-Source software for your

company (erp, crm, communication services, e-commerce, cms, support ticket system, knowledge base, task management system, libreoffice)

●You can use the cloud Vs buying hardware●Virtualization is on your weaponry●Security isn't something you pay for it

fosscomm 2011                                            page 2 of 7

I am ......... a company(earnings money)

●Provide internet services (mail, hosting, dns)●Give support for opensource project● IT department based on opensource●You can be paid for your time & work build up custom

solutions based on opensource for costumers●Give your code for free, get paid from documentation

and support●You can sell certifications on your projects to

freelancers

fosscomm 2011                                            page 3 of 7

I am ......... freelancer

●You can use opensource tools & platforms●You can learn everything for free! Knowledge is open by

definition.●You dont need to pay for lessons●you can choose your own poison (computing language /

platform)●Get paid for support opensource projects. Not many

people have the knowhow●work from your home and not from an office with

expense  ●you can build your own social work network

fosscomm 2011                                            page 4 of 7

I am ......... freelancer

●More easy to make a start-up, without the need of paying for licenses or software.

●you can create your own project and sell support and extra services, all based on opensource

●your code is your resume, people know you from the quality of your code

●certificates can provide you more money working for a company

●providing a custom solution to a customer could lead to a huge project and then make money from it

fosscomm 2011                                            page 5 of 7

business models(material from well known presentations)

●Consulting, tech manuals & certifications ●Creating custom opensource project - custom services/add-

ons ● Subscriptions or be paid for upgrades and feature requests●Create reputation (big marketing move), infiltrate

community, create a demand-interest●Custom solutions for selling hardware (black boxes for

customers)● sell gadgets, books, t-shirts

fosscomm 2011                                            page 6 of 7

How to make money from opensource

Discussion Time

questions & ideas for consideration   

(we will try to keep notes)

          fosscomm 2011