I had an interesting idea for PubKit, I do want to open source the code but I'd also like to get some funding/donations while keeping the service free.
The idea is to set a goal, say $15,000 of donations to reach before the source code is published, basically incentivizing the release by a set monetary goal.
@dansup One idea I’ve been kicking around has been starting a services company that basically does SaaS for the Fediverse; basically things like MixPost or PubKit or some shared-team-inbox thing. All of it would have custom features and pricing tiers.
Some cut of the proceeds go back to the original developers, and the custom development would go back upstream.
It’s just a thought for now, but it’s been on my mind a lot.
@dansup to play a bit of devil's advocate, that's a bit of a money extortion scheme. I'd say either open up or don't. Doesn't it qualify for nlnet grants?
I've sponsored projects in the past but money is tight enough currently. But I am a firm believer in paying for open source work.
@dansup Your work has (tons of) value. Service is free, you've done a lot for the community.
"Love" doesn't pay the bills, though. You deserve to be funded.
I believe the main problem is communication. How to say that in a way that doesn't hurt feelings, and make people realize you want to do better, but have a 24x7 limit + bills + social life is a constraint.
As someone who will use PubKit for personal use, count on me to my humble money contribution on that.
@dansup go for it! You have every right to solicit fair compensation for your hard work.
Self-imposed poverty is in no way a part of the open source ethos. Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to understand that the open source code we all love and appreciate will only keep coming as long as the people writing it are housed, fed and healthy.
@dansup that's 100% legit. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Just because its FLOSS doesn't mean you have to work for free. If the donation goal is not reached, it means people don't care.
I'd like to see a strong AP development organization emerge that supports companies that earn money by selling goods and uses some of it to support the software developers. That would require, I think, at least shared source among the players in the AP dev organization.
I think individual proprietary software is a dead end.
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