| BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : NOVEMBER 15, 1999 ISSUE | ||||||||
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| INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
How to Avoid Culture Clash Linux, with its penguin mascot, is the hot software for running Web sites. But companies trying to capitalize on the Linux craze need to know the rules of the so-called Open Source community. Follow the rules or face the consequences, which can include anything from nasty ''flame'' mail to threats of a boycott. DOs... KEEP IT OPEN The idea behind Open Source is that programmers voluntarily donate software features or repairs to programs as long as the results are kept open, meaning anybody can use and change the code. Companies are allowed to use and redistribute the software--taking advantage of free labor--on condition that they keep the pieces open. GIVE BACK Companies that distribute beefed-up Linux programs are expected to offer at least some of their own software back. They must dish up a version that can be downloaded for free via the Net. MAKE NICE Companies that sell Linux-related products are expected to help out members of the community. One killer gesture: Offering IPO stock to programmers. DON'Ts... DON'T ACT LIKE MICROSOFT Forget trying to control Linux and direct its future. Programmers will take offense and won't help anymore. DON'T CREATE VAPORWARE It's declasse to announce products before they're ready to be distributed to customers--a tactic that's common in the PC software industry. DON'T DUMP ON OTHERS Verbal attacks on competitors is another grand tradition of the PC industry. In the Linux world it's supposed to be all for one and one for all. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ BACK TO TOP |
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RELATED ITEMS The Wild and Woolly World of Linux TABLE: How to Avoid Culture Clash INTERACT E-Mail to Business Week Online | |||
