RE: Open Source Developer Exchange

I never used an open source exchange because I could
never tell how long it would take to get results.
In business you always solve problems using the following
algorithm:

1) If I can get it for free, get it.
2) If I can buy it, buy it.
3) Otherwise, change my strategy so I don't need it.
4) Move on to the next problem as quick as you can.

How would an open source exchange fit into this algorithm?

Other people describe it in terms of "I have pain, I give you
money for aspirin."  An open source exchange is more like a
chemistry set.


-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Lancaster [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2003 7:45 PM
To: Tom Lord
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Open Source Developer Exchange

This is a very insightful piece by Tom. He has described one of the
problems with a feature exchange: that it forces the consumer to, "think
too hard in order to use the service". I believe this is one reason why
proprietary models work so well - they do the thinking on behalf of the
consumer. And in the cases where the consumer wants choice, they offer
few (such as "lite" and "enterprise").

Any suggestions on how to reduce the thinking the consumer has to do?

-ron

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Lord [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 9:48 PM
To: Ron Lancaster
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Open Source Developer Exchange

      I'm interested in starting a compay similar to what Cosource
      used to be [....] an exchange where buyers can
      sponsor development of features for open source projects. 

      So, why did these companies fail?

In my opinion: lack of focus, and consequent lack of optimization.
They sell too low-level, too general a product, thus they miss
focusing on what's being demanded, and they fail to achieve economies
of scale.   How large, exactly, is their value-add over a google
search for developers-for-hire?

[...]

In short, a feature exchange is like an inconvenient and unrealistic
wholesale option in a retail market.  People would have to think too
hard in order to use such a service.  It schematically describes the
economics, but other vendors are doing a better job of nailing the
details of actual demand by specializing.