via: https://infosec.exchange/@juanan/114183068696835294

Researchers at Harvard Business School and University of Toronto used unique data to quantify the value of open source.

Takeways:

  • Supply-side (cost to recreate) is ~$4.15B, but demand-side (value to firms) is $8.8T. Shows massive cost savings & productivity boost from OSS.
  • If OSS didn’t exist, firms would need to spend an estimated 3.5 times more on software than they currently do. OSS provides a massive, often invisible, productivity boost.
  • A tiny fraction of OSS developers create the vast majority of value. Only 5% of developers are responsible for over 96% of the demand-side value
  • Firms should not just “free ride” on OSS but actively contribute to the ecosystem, as this is far cheaper than recreating the software themselves.
  • TootSweet@lemmy.worldEnglish
    71·
    4 days ago

    That’s a little bit like trying to “quantify” the value of laughter or beautiful sunsets or a human life.

    • misk@sopuli.xyzOP
      5·
      4 days ago

      But if you won’t quantify value of laughter then how will you know how much to charge for it?

      a very sad /s