Open-source software

On open-source software, I see that vendors stand to benefit more than end-users. Open source tends to better serve the IT-savvy, who are able to alter and improvise the source code for customized use. In a way, open-source software are usually less readily package for the mass consumers and perhaps lacks that refinement, thus it generally requires the user to be somewhat IT-competent and resourceful in order to exploit the software fully.

I believe businesses are still more keen to pay for the certainty that they will be able to get it right straightaway than having to figure things out themselves with a faceless open-source software, unless the employee doing it is IT savvy and confident.

Therefore, there emerged a new business model - Vendors would provide services where the customers need not work hard to make the open-source software work for them. These vendors value-add by customizing and making the software readily employable for the customers, they just charged for their expertise and services but not the software which makes it attractive for consumers.