Innovation and New Product Development Case Study

Open Source: Software Model for the future?

OR

Abstract:
Open source software has been gaining a lot of popularity as compared to the proprietary model. Although the development in this arena started only in the late sixties, its growth has been phenomenal. The number of products on this platform might be small but they have been able to give established proprietary software makers like Microsoft a run for their money, forcing them to acknowledge and even enter this field.

This case study attempts to look at open source, its growth and its viability as compared to proprietary software. Efforts have been made to look at the open source model from all angles, even highlighting any possible drawbacks.

The discussion points are the advantages and disadvantages of the model vis a vis the proprietary model and whether the future of software can be completely dependent on the open source platform.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the model vis a vis the proprietary model
• Future of the open source platform.

Keywords : Open Source Model; Open source code; Free software; Linux Torvalds; Netscape Navigator; Microsoft; Innovation Management Case Study; Open Source Programming; Eric Raymond; Proprietary Model

Contents:

• About Open Source
• Open Source Businesses and Proprietary Businesses
• The Open Source Business
• Why Open Source?
• Challenges
• The Future