I’m talking about excellent applications or web-based software like CMSs – how do they make money if the item is free or open source… How do they stop people ripping them off or taking the machinate in the incorrect direction? what license should I get to make the most out of something I hope to write?

Best answer:

Answer by Anonymous
A few ways an single developer or team of developers can make money of a GPL or GNU license is by offering support on the software, charging for upgrades, getting hired for other work once your free software gets known. Also, the author can still charge for the software even even if it is open source and free.

Essentially making excellent free software is a excellent way of getting your name out there if you’re a developer. The people who developed GAIM (now known as pidgin [www.pidgin.im]) were hired by Google.

What do you reflect? Answer not more than!