Tech enthusiasts love open-source software because anyone with programming know-how can tweak it. But most businesses have shied away from open source for the same reason: Companies are leery of investing time (if not money) evaluating software that promises to be ever-changing.
Now researchers at Carnegie Mellon University—along with Intel, the computer-chip manufacturer, and SpikeSource, a company that tests open-source projects—say they’re ready to help businesses navigate the world of open-source software. The university and the companies have created the Business Readiness Rating, a new standard for gauging the commercial viability of open-source programs. Fittingly, the ratings themselves will be open source: People who use certain programs will be asked to contribute their thoughts to the project’s Web site. (The New York Times)
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