I don't think offering a product Open Source doesn't mean you can get rid of the free hosted version. Not everybody will be able to install software to "get a taste." It's like the Chinese place at the mall food court only offering a sample if you can use chopsticks. They put the sample on a toothpick because they want as many people as possible to taste their food.
Some people are making a business out of offering a hosted version of someone else's Open Source package.
noah kagan
· 2 years ago
What do you think about cambrianhouse.com?
Brian
· 2 years ago
I have yet to see anything tangible come out of cambrian house, and until I see anything even in production I will withhold my judgement. I don't like their point allocation too much though.
Ilija Studen
· 2 years ago
I personally don't think that opening source is a smart move from security perspective. It is much better to hire a security expert to check the system inside out than to expect that community will fix your bugs.
Also, I agree with Adam. Even though you provide an open source version you'll need to provide a free account for users to play and see if system fits their needs. IMO, providing full service for 30 days trial accounts (full service for free) is much better than going open source.
Brian
· 2 years ago
Ilija, I am glad to see you reading my blog. You were one of the inspirations for this post.
I think there is a difference between a 30 day free account and a free for life hosted account. 30 days you can write off as a customer acquisition cost. Use it in your marketing budget as a marketing cost. Maybe open source is a better move with a widespread group? But not for individual pieces of software that aren't going to get the critical mass needed to get the development behind it?
All Comments
Some people are making a business out of offering a hosted version of someone else's Open Source package.
Also, I agree with Adam. Even though you provide an open source version you'll need to provide a free account for users to play and see if system fits their needs. IMO, providing full service for 30 days trial accounts (full service for free) is much better than going open source.
I am glad to see you reading my blog. You were one of the inspirations for this post.
I think there is a difference between a 30 day free account and a free for life hosted account. 30 days you can write off as a customer acquisition cost. Use it in your marketing budget as a marketing cost. Maybe open source is a better move with a widespread group? But not for individual pieces of software that aren't going to get the critical mass needed to get the development behind it?