Beware the competition (Score 1)

Open source is good to get new ideas into the software, and get them implemented quickly. Open source is also good for competitors to easily copy your code and turn it into something better than you already have - give it another name and offer it to your customers. Support is a great way of making money from your software, but making it open source can lead to other companies being able to offer support also. Conclusion: Open source is for very small operators who feel as though they are doing the world a service, and are humbled by offering something to the community for virtually no financial recumbrance. Or by large institutions who feel they have made far too much money, and want to give something back.