Actually Quote by Brian Behlendorf
“I'm not of the opinion that all software will be open source software. There is certain software that fits a niche that is only useful to a particular company or person: for example, the software immediately behind a web site's user interface. But the vast majority of software is actually pretty generic.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Open Source Economics, 2015
Most software is generic and can be open source, but niche, proprietary tools may remain closed for business reasons.
In simple terms: Generic software can be open source; niche software may stay closed.
Key Takeaway
Open source where possible, keep niche tools proprietary.
Themes
open source
software economics
business strategy
Mood
pragmatic
analytical
Type
observational
strategic
When to use this quote
- enterprise development
- startup product design
- web UI implementation
- custom analytics tools
Key Concepts
proprietary vs open source
niche markets
software reuse
Questions to Reflect On
- Should you open source your niche tool?
- How does openness affect competitive advantage?
A Different Perspective
Proprietary niche tools can limit collaboration and innovation.
