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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">The <a href="https://maps.here.com/">HERE</a>
map was sold for 2.8 billion USD [1]. I made couple of edits at
the HERE map. I may be wrong, but my personal impression was that
it is kind of dorky. I would estimate that the value of the OSM
map now is probably much more than 10 billion USD. <br>
<br>
It happened before, a successful open source project was sold to a
commercial entity lock, stock, and barrel. For example, MySQL.
When so much money is involved, it is practically impossible to
withstand a hostile takeover. It could be shills, manipulated
public opinion, etc. Here are articles already explaining that an
open source project is better off under a commercial company [2].
<br>
<br>
In my opinion, such people as Jimmy Wales, who are capable to
generate original ideas, who have a reputation, are not completely
obsolete yet. He is experimenting with financing too, but he will
not commit at least high treason. There is a lot of criticism for
"donate" banners, that Wikimedia allegedly is asking money which
it does not need, etc., but Mr. Wales does not quit because of it.
So sticking around is the right thing to do for the project.<br>
<br>
[1] h<a href="http://fortune.com/2015/09/02/nokia-maps-ftc/">ttp://fortune.com/2015/09/02/nokia-maps-ftc/</a><br>
[2] <a
href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/mysql-why-the-open-source-database-is-better-off-under-oracle/"><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/mysql-why-the-open-source-database-is-better-off-under-oracle/">http://www.zdnet.com/article/mysql-why-the-open-source-database-is-better-off-under-oracle/</a></a><br>
<a href="http://www.iheavy.com/2013/11/25/oracle-wont-kill-mysql/">http://www.iheavy.com/2013/11/25/oracle-wont-kill-mysql/</a><br>
<br>
brgds<br>
O.<br>
<br>
On 06.01.2016 7:26, Steve Coast wrote:<br>
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<blockquote
cite="mid:F77165ED-2F3F-44BE-8FFA-ED63EA71A006@asklater.com"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">... I really think you guys should look around and think a bit harder if you’re concerned about money and OSM. ... than be The Guy like perhaps Jimmy Wales ... I’m going to stick around and do OSM things, I’m not dissapearing, and I’m here if my time is useful to the project.
</pre>
</blockquote>
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