> there has to be a solution that satisfies FOSS purists as well as casual users without allowing a massive, evil megacorp to just stomp on every company built around open-source solutions.
The reason for everyone not selling the software in question to prefer F/OSS is exactly that it requires surrendering the kind of exclusive control that is also what allows you to build a company around the software as a product.
Yes, this means that F/OSS as such is unlikely to be the key product of a successful company. That's always the way it has been with F/OSS.
“But if I can’t center my business on F/OSS-as-product and I can't center my business on commercial software for the same use because F/OSS products, even if somewhat inferior themselves, develop more robust ecosystems, then how am I supposed to compete with free?” one might ask. And the answer is this: “Maybe you’re not: you are entitled to a business model.”
The reason for everyone not selling the software in question to prefer F/OSS is exactly that it requires surrendering the kind of exclusive control that is also what allows you to build a company around the software as a product.
Yes, this means that F/OSS as such is unlikely to be the key product of a successful company. That's always the way it has been with F/OSS.
“But if I can’t center my business on F/OSS-as-product and I can't center my business on commercial software for the same use because F/OSS products, even if somewhat inferior themselves, develop more robust ecosystems, then how am I supposed to compete with free?” one might ask. And the answer is this: “Maybe you’re not: you are entitled to a business model.”