The Open Source world is a complicated place. Amidst all the talk about technology, competition, and market share, an essential element is lost: the dynamic of the Open Source community. It is this dynamic that determines how the software is created and how the people behave. People and corporations who seek to benefit from the efforts of the community without understanding the actions of the community are courting folly.

Successfully engaging the Open Source world requires a basic knowledge of the rules and motivations of the community. The importance of truth, geek fame, and generosity in the community needs to be understood. These elements will affect everything from hiring practices to marketing efforts. This becomes the essence of establishing a proper "vendor relationship" with the Open Source community.