Editing SourceForge (section)

== Concept ==
SourceForge is a web-based [[source code repository]]. It acts as a centralized location for [[free and open-source software]] projects. It was the first to offer this service for free to open-source projects. Project developers have access to centralized storage and tools for managing projects, though it is best known for providing [[revision control]] systems such as [[Concurrent Versions System|CVS]], [[Apache Subversion|Subversion]], [[GNU Bazaar|Bazaar]], [[Git]] and [[Mercurial]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apps.sourceforge.net/trac/sourceforge/wiki |title=Sourceforge.net |website=Apps.SourceForge.net |access-date=April 19, 2012}}</ref> Major features (amongst others)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apps.sourceforge.net/trac/sourceforge/wiki/Comprehensive%20service%20directory |title=Comprehensive Service Directory |website=Apps.SourceForge.net |access-date=October 19, 2012}}</ref> include project [[wiki]]s, metrics and analysis, access to a [[MySQL]] [[database]], and unique sub-domain [[URL]]s (in the form <code><nowiki>http://</nowiki><var>project-name</var>.sourceforge.net</code>).

The vast number of users at SourceForge.net (over three million as of 2013)<ref name="compete1">{{cite web|author=United States|date=October 26, 2011|title=Sourceforge Attracts Almost 40m Visitors Yearly|url=http://siteanalytics.compete.com/sourceforge.net?metric=uv|access-date=April 19, 2012|website=SiteAnalytics.Compete.com|archive-date=December 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208092400/http://siteanalytics.compete.com/sourceforge.net/?metric=uv|url-status=dead}}</ref> exposes prominent projects to a variety of developers and can create a [[positive feedback loop]]. As a project's activity rises, SourceForge.net's internal ranking system makes it more visible to other developers through SourceForge directory and Enterprise Directory.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://sourceforge.net/directory/ |title=SourceForge.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://sourceforge.net/directory/enterprise |title=SourceForge.net}}</ref> Given that many open-source projects fail due to lack of developer support, exposure to such a large community of developers can continually breathe new life into a project. {{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

=== Revenue model ===
SourceForge's traditional revenue model is through advertising banner sales on their site. In 2006, SourceForge Inc. reported quarterly takings of [[United States dollar|US$]]6.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sourceforge-quarterly-profit-surges-as-revenue-rises|title=Sourceforge quarterly profit surges as revenue rises|access-date=August 13, 2013|date=May 24, 2007|website=MarketWatch.com|quote=''Software Corp., late Thursday reported third-quarter net earnings of $6.49 million, or 9 cents a share, up from $997,000, or 2 cents a share, during the year-ago period. Pro forma earnings from continuing operations were $2.1 million, or 3 cents a share, compared with $1.2 million, or 2 cents a share, last year. The Fremont, Calif.-based maker of computer servers and storage systems said revenue for the three months ended April 30 rose to $10.3 million from $7.9 million. Analysts, on average, had forecast a per-share profit of 2 cents on revenue of $12 million.''|first=Katherine |last=Hunt}}</ref> In 2009, SourceForge reported a gross quarterly income of US$23 million through media and e-commerce streams.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://ir.corp.sourceforge.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=82629&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1260642&highlight=| title=SourceForge Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2009 Financial Results| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603170625/http://ir.corp.sourceforge.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=82629&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1260642&highlight=| archive-date=June 3, 2015}}</ref> In 2011, a revenue of US$20 million was reported for the combined value of the SourceForge, slashdot and freecode holdings, prior to SourceForge's acquisition.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2012/09/18/dice-holdings-buys-slashdot-sourceforge-from-geeknet/ |title=Dice holdings bytes slashdot|website=[[Forbes]] }}</ref>

Since 2013, additional revenue generation schemes, such as [[bundleware]] models,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sourceforge.net/blog/today-we-offer-devshare-beta-a-sustainable-way-to-fund-open-source-software/|title=Today we offer devshare beta, a sustainable way to fund open source software|date=July 2013|access-date=July 6, 2013|archive-date=October 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004214316/https://sourceforge.net/blog/today-we-offer-devshare-beta-a-sustainable-way-to-fund-open-source-software/|url-status=dead}}</ref> have been trialled, with the goal of increasing SourceForge's revenue. The result has in some cases been the appearance of [[malware]] bundled with SourceForge downloads.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schofield|first1=Jack|title=Are there any trustworthy sources for downloading software?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2015/jan/29/are-there-any-trustworthy-sources-for-downloading-software|access-date=May 11, 2015|work=The Guardian|date=January 29, 2015}}</ref> On February 9, 2016, SourceForge announced they had eliminated their DevShare program practice of bundling installers with project downloads.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://betanews.com/2016/02/11/sourceforge-pledges-to-clean-up-its-downloader-act/|title=SourceForge pledges to clean up its downloader act|work=BetaNews|date=February 11, 2016|access-date=April 30, 2016}}</ref>

Negative community reactions to the partnership program led to a review of the program, which was nonetheless opened up to all SourceForge projects on February 7, 2014.<ref>{{cite web
  | url     = https://sourceforge.net/blog/today-we-offer-devshare-beta-a-sustainable-way-to-fund-open-source-software/
  | title     = Today We Offer DevShare (Beta), A Sustainable Way To Fund Open Source Software
  | author     = Roberto Galoppini
  | date     = July 1, 2013
  | access-date     = July 6, 2013
  | archive-date     = October 4, 2013
  | archive-url     = https://web.archive.org/web/20131004214316/https://sourceforge.net/blog/today-we-offer-devshare-beta-a-sustainable-way-to-fund-open-source-software/
  | url-status     = dead
  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | url = https://sourceforge.net/blog/devshare-relaunch-power-to-end-users/
  | title   = DevShare Relaunch: Power to end-users!
  | author  = Roberto Galoppini
  | date    = February 7, 2014
}}</ref> The program was canceled by new owners BIZX, LLC on February 9, 2016.<ref name="auto2" />

On May 17, 2016, they announced that it would scan all projects for malware and display warnings on downloads.<ref>{{cite web
  | title      = SourceForge now scans all projects for malware and displays warnings on downloads
  | url        = https://sourceforge.net/blog/sourceforge-now-scans-all-projects-for-malware-and-displays-warnings-on-downloads/
  | publisher  = SourceForge
  | date       = May 17, 2016
  | access-date = October 15, 2016
}}</ref>