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why startups should use open source software. presented at startup camp kl 2008, to a lively discussion
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Bootstrapping using free software
A discussion on starting up, cheaply
Colin [email protected]://bytebot.net/
StartupCampKLNovember 2008
Free software?
Free as in bebas Not free as in percuma
Freedoms
Run the softwareStudy the software & change it accordingly
Redistribute copies to othersModify, then release, so no one has to do things
twice
Open Source?
Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. The promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost, and an end
to predatory vendor lock-in.
From opensource.org
5
The open source model
Spend money to save timeSpend time to save money
6
What do you require?
● Technology business?● Media business?● Front office?● Advertising business?● Specialised engineering business?
7
Media
1999: Mandrake, OpenOffice.org, Mozilla(exception of one Mac machine, for DTP use)
8
Media
2008: Ubuntu, OpenOffice.org, Firefox, Thunderbird
(okay, Google Docs/Mail is crucial... and there's still one Mac for DTP use)
9
Technology
Is there a reason you are not leveraging on the use of open source? There is no excuse.
10
Venture backed startups
I've received funding... now what next?
11
I have money to hire 5 staff
Kick ass programmers?Maybe three, if you're lucky/smart
Progress in twelve months
12
Do I base my architecture on...
ASP.NET/MS SQL/IIS/Windows Server?OR
PHP/MySQL/Apache/Linux?(yes, yes, Python, Perl, Ruby, PostgreSQL, OpenSolaris, FreeBSD, and others do make
sense too :) )
13
Software licenses
There is zero cost, when using open source software
When you are profitable and need support, consulting, training, et al, you can go back to a
service provider to help you solve your problems
14
Examples...
Linux ... Red Hat, Novell, UbuntuMySQL ... Sun
JBoss ... Red HatOpenOffice.org ... Sun
And don't forget your local SI's, etc...
15
What about community supported stuff?
Debian? FreeBSD? PostgreSQL?Trust your local partners! The choice is yours
16
So, back to I have 5 staff to hire
3 kick ass programmers will write more code, in a quicker time, if they leverage open source
17
Why?
Rewrite yet another CMS?Rewrite yet another wiki?
Rewrite yet another VoIP system?Rewrite yet another e-commerce system?
Rewrite yet another ... ?
18
Reuse
Just build it on other people's work
19
License Proliferation
Be aware, the many different licenses out there. Knowing when to mix and match, is as simple as
reading the licenseMixing with proprietary software? Look for
BSD/Apache licensesLGPL ensures that when incorporated into your software, the license itself doesn't “leak” into it
20
Front office stuff
Web browser ... FirefoxEmail client ... Thunderbird
Office suite ... OpenOffice.orgAccounting package ... GNUCash
Graphics manipulation ... The GIMP
21
Vendor lock-in
... is bad“... provides Malaysian SMEs with cost-effective
and affordable options to purchase IT at only RM188 per month”
22
Open Standards
Today, if you don't have open APIs, your product is probably dead in the water
Malaysian web properties lack open APIs – start now!
23
When is free software, maybe, incorrect?
Specialised uses, where today, there only exists software for proprietary platformsArchitects depend on AutoCAD
24
Bootstrapping in the Web 2.0 world
Guy KawasakiTruemors
“Life is also good because of open source and Wordpress.”
7.5 weeks from domain registration to launchAbout USD$12k, only USD$4.5k spent on
software development
25
More bootstrapping
Mark Zuckerberg
“Going from a university dorm room to a company that has more than 1800 servers running MySQL
is something that we think is pretty exciting,” Urlocker said. “It just goes to show you that a student with a good idea can go a long way.”
26
Bootstrapping yet again
YouTubeGoogle AdSense
(http://xooglers.blogspot.com/2005/12/lets-get-real-database.html)
Yahoo!Flickr
27
SeedCamp
28
VCs?
If you're investing in a company, or handing them grants, they better not be building their software
on a proprietary platform
29
What about the cloud?
Google Apps for your Domain
30
Thank free software
The world as you know it, today, would not be the same, had it not been for open source software
A UNIX variant powers most servers... languages like Perl/PHP/etc. are the glue... Apache, MySQL,
etc. are the infrastructure
