We’ve adopted an un-conventional approach to open source, not that it seems there is any convention to open source.  I'd call it disruptive, but how can you disrupt a disruptive technology?

In the beginning, we designed our software in two tiers.  (more than that really, but for the purpose of open-source, two is a good number ...)

Tier 1 Open Source

By shipping it in tiers, we are intentionally avoiding overwhelming you with details.  If all you need is a custom user interface or to create a web service, then tier 1 is all you need to look at and learn (somewhat).

Tier 1 is what everyone needs.   It delivers the benefits of open source. Tier 1 is enough code to interface the product to an application or environment.   Tier 1 code is released as open as we can imagine i.e. "released to the public domain" with no encumbrances.  

Tier 1 achieves the open source goals of taking our company out of the critical path for system and application enhancements and upgrades.   Being able to read the code (and change it) means answers to questions are fast and, if you don’t like the answer, you have the option to change it.

We like it when people modify our Tier 1 code. We encourage it, we'll train you to do it. 

This extends all the way to the open-source.  We want to make your programming and customization experience as easy and efficiient as possible.  We go so far as to deliver it in Microsoft Visual Studio (for the Windows version) or Netbeans 6 (for the java version) format.   

When we've gone to look for source code, we often find they in-comprehensible and tedious to get to the point where you could do anything.   We're different, our projects are understandable and we actually you encourage you to customize them and we’ll even answer your questions about the source code in our support forums!

In fact, one step further: If you make something that's marketable, we'll help you sell it! 

Are we a services business?

Our primary source of revenue is product, NOT services. 

We make our entire product easy to download and explore and experiment with because we want you to like the product. 

Tier 2 Open Source

The next tier, tier 2, is the rest of the source code, the analytic engine.   We do not distribute this as freely or widespread.  Why would you want it?   If you have a good reason, then approach us.  If you’re just curious, well, no thanks.  We do allow the source code to go out, but we have to have a business relationship with you (that means money changes hands, in our direction.).

By keeping tier 2 close to us,  we can ensure good quality release management practices  and the kinds of innovation that take our software in the direction we want to see it taken. We believe that’s what’s in best long run interests for our customers.

(Ward Yaternick is the Founder and CTO of nextanalytics corp.)

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