Why do some open source companies create their own software distribution?

from external blog: http://coppola.rsmart.com/2010/12/20/why-do-some-open-source-companies-create-their-own-software-distribution/

In my role with rSmart I regularly engage in conversations about rSmart’s approach to solving the last mile problem for the Sakai and Kuali communities.

Our approach, like Red Hat, Moodlerooms, and other open source software companies, includes participating actively as a part of these communities, developing a product based on the community software, and engaging with the market to facilitate widespread adoption.

The last mile – making open source software accessible

from external blog: http://coppola.rsmart.com/2010/12/15/the-last-mile-making-open-source-software-accessible/

In the communications industry the “last mile” is the final leg connecting a customer to the global information and communications network. The last mile is often the most difficult and costly part of the infrastructure to make robust connectivity accessible to everyone.

An open path: rSmart and SunGard Higher Education partner to deliver Sakai

from external blog: http://coppola.rsmart.com/2010/09/28/an-open-path-rsmart-and-sungard-higher-education-partner-to-deliver-sakai/

If uncertainty is one of the most significant barriers to widespread adoption of open source software, then the barrier just got a lot lower. This morning my company (rSmart), and SunGard Higher Education announced a partnership that promises to have a real impact on the adoption of the Sakai Collaboration and Learning Environment (CLE).

Apples, Oranges, and Open Source

from external blog: http://coppola.rsmart.com/2010/08/12/apples-oranges-and-open-source/

Comparing open source vs. proprietary software is like comparing apples and oranges. It’s a comparison that just doesn’t make sense for anything other than the basic comparison of licensing rights.

There are great variations among open source options, and among proprietary options. Yet many conversations about open source software tend to use very broad generalizations and treat each of these (open or proprietary) as a distinct thing. I’m involved in a lot of conversations about adopting open source software and I’m always struck by the black & white view of proprietary vs. open.

Happy Birthday, Sakai Product Council!

from external blog: http://xolotl.org/blog/xolotl/happy-birthday-sakai-product-council

After almost a year in existence, the Sakai Product Council that I was honored to join is completing a planned review of its configuration and activities. My answers to the common questions posed to Councilors and community reviewers are below, but before you dig in to those details—or maybe instead, if you're pressed for time or interest—let me sum up my review here as briefly as I can.

Path Matters

from external blog: http://coppola.rsmart.com/2010/03/17/path-matters/

There’s a conversation going on today on the EDUCAUSE CIO List about criteria for evaluating learning management systems (LMS). Patrick Masson, CIO at SUNY Delhi, suggested in that conversation, that a feature comparison might no longer provide the right assessment criteria. Brad Wheeler, CIO at Indiana University and uber-leader of Community Source in education, responded in agreement. Brad and Patrick each suggest that features among the various LMS options are roughly on par and don’t offer much in terms of differentiation. Brad goes on to suggest that:

Oracle and Rimini Street battle over 3rd party support

from external blog: http://coppola.rsmart.com/2010/03/07/7/

I read the recent news about Rimini Street’s battle with Oracle with great interest this past week.

The Chronicle headline last Sunday was “A Small Company, Promising Major Savings on Vital Software, Lures Colleges.” The issue highlighted in the story:

Cost-conscious colleges are caught in the cross-fire of a legal battle between Rimini Street, the low-cost maintenance provider, and Oracle, a software powerhouse that serves hundreds of higher-education customers. In January, Oracle sued Rimini Street for running what Oracle calls an “illegal” and “corrupt” business model.

The OPEN The OPEN Forum

from external blog: http://coppola.rsmart.com/2008/07/15/the-open-the-open-forum/

In the past few months I’ve attended the most recent Sakai and Kuali community events. Aside from adding to my collection of great polo shirts I’m also reminded how important these face to face gatherings are. While these communities are very productive working as a globally distributed team, there’s no substitute for the connections made face to face.

Attendees at these community events often remark that they need a forum to engage campus leaders who don’t typically attend the community events.