Moderator Comment by Chris Anderson on July 29, 2009 at 7:22pm

Do you mean this one? That was my first draft. My second version is here. In general, we've settled on price being about 2x cost of components. We don't charge for IP and try to mimimize our manual labor (which is why you have to solder the through-hole components on our boards yourself) to keep costs low, while still allowing for a profit for us and our partners.

Blimpduino is being sold a bit too cheaply right now. It's costs (not including labor) are about $60 and we're charging $89. Following the optimal 2.6x rule, we should be charging $156, but we were keen to get it in as many hands as possible at this stage, on the hopes that the feedback would help inform the next version.

Comment by Gian Carlo M. on July 29, 2009 at 7:26pm

Thank you Chris! That's exactly what I was looking for.
I'm really interested in the business aspect of open source and am also trying to learn the technology behind it (since I have a business and not technical background). DIYDrones has been a great starting point.
I'm sure you've heard of Eric von Hippel, but has he heard about DIYDrones? I think he would enjoy the community.
Cheers

Moderator Comment by Chris Anderson on July 29, 2009 at 8:11pm

I did email Prof von Hippel a few weeks ago, but haven't heard back.

Comment by Gian Carlo M. on July 29, 2009 at 8:47pm

Are you thinking about writing a new book, on Open Hardware? :)
BTW, I entered your contest (which was held in your blog) for the free editions of "Free". Are the results out yet?

Moderator Comment by Chris Anderson on July 29, 2009 at 8:53pm

My next book has the working title of "Atoms are the New Bits: The rebirth of American Industry". It's about manufacturing reemerging more along Silicon Valley lines. The cannonical software startup--"three guys with laptops"--can now describe a hardware startup, too. Global manufacturing supply chain open to individuals and units of one, impedance matched to the little, not just the big. Etc....

It stems a bit from my experience here, but is more about watching the Maker Faire/DIY spirit take hold and high tech cottage industries create a "long tail of things". The question is how these will get from thousands of units to millions of units, and how many jobs they can create.

Comment by Gian Carlo M. on July 29, 2009 at 9:13pm

It is a topic that (as I mentioned) has been intriguing me. Unfortunately I don't believe I have what it takes to write a book (I can barely maintain my blogs).

I believe that we really may be living the beginning of a new revolution in manufacturing, prototyping and design. My initial guess is the bubbling of numerous small businesses such as DIYDrones, by people who transform their hobbies into businesses (a whole topic on it's own), that, based on OS communities, are able to design new and innovative products (taking the place - at least in some core competencies - of industries such as Nokia, Apple, etc).

The production, on the other hand, I believe will become more and more versatile and cost-effective (China, without a doubt, would have an outstanding growth in this scenery). We might see the ultimate mass customization.

I really like some views expressed by von Hippel on the subject... and to think that he has been talking about this since the 80s.

Comment by Gian Carlo M. on July 29, 2009 at 9:14pm

I'll be looking forward to your insights about the subject. :)

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