Open Source Business

Okay so.

I just heard about one of my old friends, Phil Torrone, of MAKE Magazine fame, has a new business venture.

Adafruit Industries Laser Etching

This, in itself, might not be that neat of a thing. Sure, laser etching is cool, and the prices are VERY reasonable, I think ($100 for a laptop, around $30 for smaller things). But, the really cool thing is that this is, as far as I know, the only open source business. Phil and his partner, Limor Fried, will be publishing every single detail about how you can open your own laser etching business, including how to operate the machinery. Apparently, they will actively help others to make their own similar business.

I think that this is a FANTASTIC idea. Open Source Software works so well because people all work together to find things that can be improved, and then do so. Businesses run in the same way would become the best that they could possibly be.

I can also see this being a great way to do things in developing countries. Have open source business plans, distribute them around the developing countries, and have them help each other to develop.

I'd really like to get some things etched, like my DS, some Segway parts, and, whenever I get a new laptop (probably in the next couple of years, not any time soon, though), get that etched too.