The Ugliness of Open Source -- Hypocrisy

Some companies claim they are "Open Source", however they are not really that "Open" -- not on the source code per se, but on the MOTIVATION of opening the source.

"Open Source" is a lure -- these companies use this catch phase to ask people to contribute -- testing the code, integrate in their work, fixing the bugs, etc. Once it becomes popular in the market, they create another product based on this work. They have all the right to do so since they originally own the code. These companies can stop maintain the code at any time and convert it to their commercial products.

Okay, people can "fork" the code -- create a version based on the last open-source version, and keep working on it as Open Source. However it's very difficult to maintain the original version since outside developers requires to go through all the source codes in order to know what the hell it is doing. If your company uses this package in a mission critical solution, the IT director will pay the license to this company for this product in order to get prompt technical support and garanteed fixes. It is a kind of extortion, deceiving, I trust you but you betray me.

I don't mind these companies telling people that they are "Open Source" now and close it later, or developing another products based on this work. At least they are telling their plans and the truth that people will contribute if they want to. Just open the source AND the motivation why you open it up. People will coming if you're honest.