Today's software business model isn't about writing software; it's about the enablement and servicing of software. And that just happens to be what the open source movement is all about.
So far, the open source movement has tended to develop software that mimics commercial products. We will soon see it graduate to creating entirely new solutions. One of the great freedoms of open source is the ability to take just the bits we need and recombine them into new applications, accelerating innovation and time to market.
The first change we'll see is the elimination of the general purpose operating system for servers. We'll no longer need to drag around senseless OS components with their broader security and availability vulnerabilities when we just want to deploy a database server, an application server, or a Web server. Linux is a great OS, and it's an even greater repository of discrete OS components.
Open source allows startups to take the bits of Linux and other open source projects they need and combine them in new ways that deliver new capabilities. Companies have already started down the path of designing configurable Linux configurations meant to be combined with other software components to create purpose-built solutions. Open source allows us to move beyond the stale traditions of certified stacks of software to truly integrated solutions that home in on specific needs.
Open source licensing promotes this type of innovation, and the market will ultimately reject proprietary licensing models that prevent it. The freedom to innovate is the greatest freedom of all -- and the perfect building material, in the form of existing open source code, will accelerate it to unprecedented levels.
Show me the list of other next big things | Surprise me with another next big thing
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect businesscritical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
Sign up to receive InfoWorld Resource Alerts
