FOSS is still not an option.

The software market is not FOSS friendly at all! Note how I call it a "market"? That's because there is money to be made in the software industry. I hate it when people suggest something like free software, (as in beer), and additional paid-for support. That pretty much, makes it viable for only sizable companies, or directed only to a very small niche of clients. How is that appealing at all when you can instead put your application on a website as shareware, and sell it to a broader audience in an easier and less time consuming manner?

Here is the specific reason for my rant:

Take it for granted that I'm developing a fairly innovative piece of software. Naturally as a FOSS advocate (albeit not fanatical), I am considering making my source public. But can I do this while still keeping it as the same level of profitability?

Will being FOSS compliant, matter to my general audience?

Not in general, though I'm sure at least 2% of the people will have second thoughts about using closed source software from an unknown developer.

Will it matter to my competition?

Definitely. I'm sure that at least, providing my own source will help them cut down the developing time for their competing software. Moreover I will assume that some of my competitors will be pretty competent and experienced software houses, that have much more resource than I do. In that case the only thing at my disposal would be my initial momentum in this new market.

I suppose the rant is over. I don't feel so sure about this same post anymore. However I want to pose you a question:

How can a small software house or a lonely developer, release their work as FOSS without laying down a red carpet for the competition to reach his level of development in substantially less time?

Why, Mr. Anderson? Why do you do it?
Why get up? Why keep coding?
Do you believe you're coding for something? For more than your ego?
Can you tell me what it is? Do you even know?
Is it GNU/Freedom? Fame? Perhaps satori? Yes? No? Could it be for art?

Giving away software and selling support is a bad idea entirely because

1. This means your software must be too complex for the average user to use in order for you to make money
2. Time spent offering support is time not spent making updates
and
3. Other people can offer support for free and you can't do shit about it.

Software HAS to be sold on a per license use, and the only way for this to work is if you restrict copying. Let the consumer do whatever they want, except for copying the product and letting their friend use it for free.

>>1
fairly innovative piece of software
Remember the last innovation in software? I don't. But I heard it happened at Xerox PARC, during the time of Lisp-machines. Some would argue, that mouse GUI isn't a big deal, but then what is a big deal?

>>4
I want to read the full article

>>1
How can a small software house or a lonely developer, release their work as FOSS without laying down a red carpet for the competition to reach his level of development in substantially less time?
Yeah! The whole FOSS was devised by big corporations to kill their competition. Stallamn recieves his salary directly from Steve Ballmer. Aliens kidnapped your cow and drawn circles on your crops.

>>6
Check out who contribute to Linux and BSD, most are paid by those big corporations.

>>7

Exactly. I hate when people label Google or similar companies as FOSS friendly, when all they do is take advantage of preexisting FOSS projects.

Besides, Google are a service provider. They don't sell software! Such companies can easily benefit from publicizing their source. Where they really FOSS advocates they would publicize their search algorithms and the methods they use to profile users.

As for Mozilla, they are the exception. They only exist because of the large sum they receive yearly from Google i.e. through advertising. The likes of Stallman would probably still complain (and I agree) because, they are advertising a company with questionable ethics.

>>7
Intel contributes to keep Microsoft and Apple in line.

Google already sells services, and Chrome is just a mean to provide official interface.

inb4 dubz

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:65 46d27fe81392d84abd71917c1f2753d7
:1309500262 1309512887}
>>7
<-- that's cool and all, but check 'em

I think RedHat would disagree.

How can a small software house or a lonely developer, release their work as FOSS without laying down a red carpet for the competition to reach his level of development in substantially less time?
Target a niche and make sure that your research suggests that the market is large enough to meet your financial objective. If you can't find a niche that you can successfully fulfill, you don't deserve to be in business. Really, do your research about the current market situation including a sensible forecast.