Sun knew how to make mistakes. Sun made so many mistakes it's hard to list them all.

Here's a handy guide to when to use open source:

  - when you're trying to gain mindshare and you're behind
  - when closed-source == product death
  - when your customers won't purchase from you if you don't
  - when it helps you upsell to other more proprietary /
    less-open products and services
  - when you need it to retain talent and it doesn't
    compromise the business

Open source is a business tool, not necessarily an end (though it can be an end too).