I'm of the opinion that the popular Open Source model for generating revenue is right on. The idea that that the software is free but support you pay for seems to be the best. This offers a wider spectrum of the market, I mean if a large business can take the software and use in-house programmers for improvements and support then there should be nothing wrong with those people gaining jobs for that. Where for the smaller companies who can't afford to hire the expert staff needed can hire consultants to do that for them.
I have to say that I have been considering the idea of trying to strike out on my own and make my mark on the world, but trying to hold myself to this same standard (trying to be the consultant) is challenging. The idea of working for a big company that has too much work coming in and a marketing team selling the services is reassuring.
I'm still trying to find the perfect blend of my passion and earning potential. It would be a wonderful experience to have a few hours to speak and share with someone who has already made that dream a reality. My personal experience is that I gain more information, strategy and inspiration from meeting the people who have "done the do" than from reading hundreds of self-help books.
The model is sound, and I would like to see if there is anyway to make what is produced as an outcome perpetual. The idea of "...Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life." is one that I have near and dear to me. In the linux community I've gained a great deal of knowledge from people who only were willing to share. And I find myself in the position now of being able to share. My problem is that no one is asking me here where I am.
I'll have to ponder this one more.
