Independent Software Vendors Get Organized 47
joshorion writes "The Organization of Independent Software Vendors has just launched with the purpose of helping the community create and market their independent software. Experts contribute helpful articles, and members can make use of the forums. The site is sponsored by many notable companies, primarily CoffeeCup, but also CNet, Tucows, VanDyke, and Lunarpages."
It's about damn time. (Score:3, Interesting)
Good idea, I think.
Watch these folks carefully! (Score:5, Insightful)
So, I guess they're an organization of mass-market proprietary software vendors. That's fine, but why do I worry that they'll pretend to actually represent the vast majority of software developers (who actually custom software which may or may not be proprietary)? It even looks like they're trying to pass off their "site technologies" list as a list of endorsements from major open-source projects. I really hope this isn't just a front for DRM proponents.
On the other hand, they'll probably be against software patents, and in favour of real open standards (e.g. ODF) and net neutrality, so maybe I shouldn't be so worried. Their mission statement seems good, in principle.
Re:Watch these folks carefully! (Score:2)
s/who actually custom software/who actually develop custom software/
Re:Watch these folks carefully! (Score:5, Insightful)
When you say you're a programmer, peoples first thougth is that you had some hand in creating some software that can be bougth shrink-wrapped somewhere.
As you point out, that's really the exception. My guess is that atleast 90% of all the programming dont today is never ever going to end up being sold shrink-wrap.
Re:Watch these folks carefully! (Score:3, Interesting)
Disclaimer... I guess I'm technically a charter member of OSIV.
Re:Watch these folks carefully! (Score:4, Insightful)
Someone, presumably a journalist, asked if having everything Open Source wouldn't mean all programmers to loose their well-paying jobs.
Alan didn't reply, but he asked two questions: (paraphrasing from memory)
OISV (Score:4, Interesting)
How are they going to achieve this? Will there be evaluation of companies?
The mission statement looks kool, but does not explain WTF 'independent' means. Am I qualified if I am running a startup?
End of the day,seems to be a good effort to bring quality software to us.
Re: OISV (Score:3, Funny)
You are qualified if they say you are... (Score:2)
Sounds like you are "in" if the other cool kids like you.
With no objective criteria (sales volume, number of employees, anything?) it is pretty vague.
Independent? (Score:4, Insightful)
Hmm..Why am I so pessimistic about this..
Re:Independent? (Score:1)
They had to be one of the 15 republics that broke off from the former Soviet Union.
Or perhaps that's the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Re:Independent? (Score:2)
Re:Independent? (Score:2)
Re:Independent? (Score:1)
This organization looks like bunk. The origin of ISV came from the bowels of Microsoft - it was used to denote independent vendors creating software for the Windows platform (e.g. they were creating for Microsoft's platform, but were independent from Microsoft - ISVs). Using it as a general term for software firms is inane and nonsensic
Re:Independent? (Score:1)
And somehow I suspect that Microsoft's Partner program is a world larger and more popular than this one.
What is notable about "CoffeeCup"? (Score:2)
Re:What is notable about "CoffeeCup"? (Score:2, Informative)
I doubt Adobe and other huge ISVs will join (or even be accepted), since they don't need the same level of help and organization. The OISV focus is really more on helping the little guys.
Your post rephrased (parody is fair use) (Score:5, Insightful)
Those who write, promote or sell proprietary software betray each and every one of those ideals. A more accurate statement would read something like: The OISV is a co-operative of software developers, marketers, distributors, and retailers that combine their thoughts and ideas to make money by denying people the freedom to use, study, modify and share computer programs.
A more accurate statement would read something like: I hate proprietary software, but am far too bigoted to acknowledge that this is nothing more than my personal preference. Instead I see it as an absolute universal truth, and anyone who doesn't see eye to eye with me is evil.
Re:Your post rephrased (parody is fair use) (Score:1)
>>Those who write, promote or sell proprietary software betray each and every one of those ideals.
>A more accurate statement would read something like: I hate proprietary software, but am far too bigoted to acknowledge that this is nothing more than my personal preference.
Or, you know, he could be right.
Proprietary software works through copyright, a grant of privileges (a
Re:Your post rephrased (parody is fair use) (Score:2)
I disagree with copyright, I don't think it serves a purpose. But this statement is false. It does not matter that more exclusion is created, for equality it must be that each person has equal opportunity, not equal outcome. Copyright is ava
Re:Your post rephrased (parody is fair use) (Score:1)
>It does not matter that more exclusion is created, for equality it must be that each person has equal opportunity, not equal outcome.
Yes, more exclusion doesn't matter. The problem is that you can't grant everyone the same privile
Re:Your post rephrased (parody is fair use) (Score:2)
With regards to the democracy thing, I obviosuly wasn't entirely clear, my apologi
Re:Irony in their statement of principles. (Score:1)
Not bad at all. (Score:1)
Though lately I have been otherwise occupied, eating babies and dancing the waltz with Hitler.
Oxymoron (Score:1)
Re:Oxymoron (Score:1)
There's actually a fansite for The Lone Rangers [urban-fated.net]
w00t! (Score:1, Offtopic)
ASP fork (Score:5, Informative)
Here's a mass email I got that shares some of the dirt:
Helpful article about cross-platform development (Score:1)
O. Wyss