Meeting: Utilizing Open Source Technologies to Build Enterprise Class Organizations

Shopatron talked about their use of open source technologies. It was interesting that they not only used open source technologies in their server LAMP (Linux, Apache, mySQL, PHP) configuration but they also took it to the desktop. They chose to standardize on Open Office and Kubuntu as their desktop systems.

Here is the video in case you missed it:


Some benefits they cited:

• Saved ~$400 per machine in licensing costs


• Ability to tweak their software to meet their special needs


• Ability to scale their DB without having to resort to buying more expensive DB hardware


• Transparency into their software providers, access to key architects and developers of MySQL

Some challenges they cited:

• New tools do have a ramp-up time, they included training


• Just because it's open source it doesn't mean you don't pay for premium support


• Cutting edge software can cut


• Going from proprietary solutions to open source solutions can be a significant effort and should be planned carefully.

Overall they were very pleased with their choice to go open source across the board and they recommend that others take the leap.

Recommended reading/viewing:
I would also highly recommend reading Wikinomics. It has a very good overview of how the open source philosophies have affected business in the last 10 years. It has some great examples ranging from IBM to motorcycle manufacturers in china.

If you still want more this TED talks also hints at what open sourcing other areas of life can mean. Video embed below but you can also watch it on the TED website



The open source model has proven as an effective method of tackling large common problems. Various areas are looking to this type of collaboration model and reinventing themselves.

NOTE: I chose Jonathan Coulton's "Code Monkey" as the sound track because he's opening up some new ground in open source music. He gives Creative Commons licensing to his music so I could use it without calling his licensing agent. I did however pay the $1 for the song out of respect for the fact that he has to make a living. The ccMixter site allows users to share their samples in this open source way.