"open-source" x "free software"

[Robin 'Roblimo' Miller]

>When you mean freely accessible, does it means that we can't charge for
>downloads?
>

No, you can charge all you want, but since your customers can freely 
redistribute your code, you'd better offer offer your paid users 
something extra so they want to give you money. Suggestions:

- Support services
- Installation help
- Private servers that get new releases faster than free mirrors
- Voluntary, shareware-style registration
- Sell documention

Some companies also produce "side by side" open source and commercial 
products. OpenOffice is free and freely redistributable, but StarOffice 
costs money and is not freely redistributable even though it's based on 
OO code.

StarOffice comes with support, documention,  and several features OO 
lacks -- and plenty of companies and at least a few individuals seem to 
be buying it.

- Robin 'Roblimo' Miller
   professional troublemaker



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