The Open Source in Business Conference is less important and interesting as time goes on.
Five years ago, there were real questions about using open source software in the enterprise. Corporate decision makers came to OSBC, and so did top-tier open source developers. There was tension in the air, and real judgments were forming. Serious thinkers gave keynotes.
This year, the big questions about open source are settled. The conference has devolved into part tutorial for late adopters, part infomercial for open source vendors targeting the enterprise.
Even so, this year's OSBC attracted a respectable bunch,and I don't feel my time there (I only went for the first day) was wasted.
I skip most keynotes at conferences. They are trailing indicators at best. None of the keynotes I went to at OSBC did anything to disprove that notion.
The venture capital panel renewed my faith in the resiliency of American enterprise - Peter Fenton of Benchmark predicted stock prices dropping well below current levels, hyperinflation, and excellent opportunities in cloud computing and other "air war" plays where the open source advantage of reduced marketing friction and low-touch high volume distribution come into play.
Dries Buytaert, founder of Drupal, gave a superb tutorial on managing open source communities, marred only by the use of what were apparently his own photos for illustration. I wish he'd take a page from Steve Jobs or Edward Tufte.
High point:
Dirk Riehle's rigorous research into applying open source principles to commercial software development. This sparsely attended session was a hidden gem, providing real insights into the nature of open source projects and a lot of food for thought.
Low point:
In the Open Source Marketing panel, Roy Russo of LoopFuse saying "I yanked the open source ... there was no money in it." So what's he doing on an open source panel?
Comments