The Nokia/Trolltech deal is interesting, and I will see what comes of that. I like how Linux and open standards in general are penetrating more and more of the mobile world - it is important since the kinds of technology visions - even here at SugarCRM - will benefit in the end if users can access data and apps anywhere with a consistent and robust UI.

But Matt Asay’s commentary (namely the title) in his blog post today made me think. In the wake of M&A, what does this mean for open source and the general culture that supports it. What I think, finally, is that as proprietary companies scoop up open source companies, the world is then changed even more than if these firms stayed private. The open source technology, manufacturing model, and culture is preserved and penetrates more sides of the acquiring entity.

So it is not about open source companies being left to change the world, because truth is, they already have…