Ask HN: SaaS startup with open sourcing the code?

Posted by KingOfCoders on Sunday February 23, 2020 @05:30AM
from the ask-hn dept.

Hello HNers, after several startups I'm planning a startup were the code is open source and developed (also) by the users of the startup.

How would you do this? AGPL? What would be your concerns?

Thanks for any input from the community, especially if you have done that before.

( 7 comments | 6 points | on HN )

Re:Ask HN: SaaS startup with open sourcing the code? by techjuice on Sunday February 23, 2020 @04:26PM (#22399648)

Having a SaaS with open source code is possible, but probably best to consult with an attorney to insure the license being used is going to match up with your business plans.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: SaaS startup with open sourcing the code? by gdiocarez on Sunday February 23, 2020 @09:06AM (#22396865)

I have seen a similar process on some open-source blockchain projects where they just award people who fix issues within the code.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: SaaS startup with open sourcing the code? by zzo38computer on Sunday February 23, 2020 @07:56PM (#22400711)

You could use AGPL and offer an additional commercial license, which is what Artifex does with Ghostscript.

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Re:Ask HN: SaaS startup with open sourcing the code? by verdverm on Sunday February 23, 2020 @10:05AM (#22397122)

A restrictive license will restrict adoption. Don't expect much help until there is traction

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Re:Ask HN: SaaS startup with open sourcing the code? by KingOfCoders on Sunday February 23, 2020 @10:39AM (#22397322)

What do you mean with adoption?

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Re:Ask HN: SaaS startup with open sourcing the code? by verdverm on Sunday February 23, 2020 @11:42AM (#22397781)

It means companies will not let their employees use software licensed with restrictive or uncommon licenses, even if free, they are automatically red flagged. So you immediately eliminate a large and profitable segment users.

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Re:Ask HN: SaaS startup with open sourcing the code? by KingOfCoders on Sunday February 23, 2020 @11:52PM (#22401751)

Thanks!

[ Parent | on HN ]