Commercial Support for Open Source

[AaronCampbell]

What's everyone's take on the companies that offer support for Open Source software at a premium price? Companies like Automattic with WordPress, SixApart with Movable Type, Redhat with Linux, Canonical with Debian Linux, the whole Sun/Oracle/MySQL thing, and most recently Acquia and Drupal (http://webdevnews.net/2008/08/acquia-gets-ready-for-release-of-carbon-commercially-supported-drupal/)?

I'm all for it. I think it makes these great tools available to corporations that really need the support. Additionally it seems like most of the examples I've come up with end up contributing more to the projects themselves than anyone else (and we benefit). I'm just wondering what everyone else thinks. Good? Bad? Doesn't really Matter?

[transmothra]

I think it's great. It's the democracy of data. We're living in great times with regard to the virtual world, even if not the real one.

[entimp]

Would the likes of WordPress, Linux and my fave Joomla be as successful without these support mechanics?

I personally don't think they would.

[grace33]

Nowadays you can find the software's on internet itself. Almost all software's are open source and you can download the software's and use it.

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Grace

[AaronCampbell]

I would definitely disagree that "almost all" software is open source. That's not even remotely accurate.

As for being able to download and use that which is open source, you're right in some cases. You or I personally can easily download and use this software for free. However, what about businesses? I own a small business, and even though I'm quite proficient at web programming (often contributing to projects when I can), I still garner peace of mind that there is an entity there for support when it's needed. If for any reason I encounter a mission-critical bug that I can't fix or don't have time to fix, these support companies offer a safety net that insures that my company will not lose profit because of it.

[AaronCampbell]

Would the likes of WordPress, Linux and my fave Joomla be as successful without these support mechanics?

I personally don't think they would.

I agree, some people worry about corporate involvement, but I keep seeing the beneficial sides. You end up with Free/Open Source Software, which has paid developers.

As a side note, Acquia Drupal was released (http://webdevnews.net/2008/10/acquia-drupal-released-with-partnership-opportunities-for-developers/)

[mikeyp]

I am all for companies that do this. I have greatly benefited from Canonicals Ubuntu. Without their programming, money and time Ubuntu would not be as easy (and fun!) as it is. They provide Ubuntu for free, and also offer services for uses who want them (support, etc).

[hkp819]

I also think it is not bad. It is good.
Would the likes of WordPress, Linux and my fave Joomla be as successful without these support mechanics?
Nowadays you can find the software's on internet itself. Almost all software's are open source and you can download the software's and use it.