I made free apps and open source packages because I thought I was well-established in my career and would easily have a well-paying job for a long time. After a decade of promotions and great performance reviews I didn’t feel compelled to chase money; I had intrinsic value. Feeling safe “subsidized” the opportunity cost I was paying with my free labor.
Getting laid off changed that by shattering my sense of stability. I am now obsessed with maximizing the value of my labor.
@kyle It's always good to give more than you take. Free labor is an amazing way to do this.
I believe when done correctly and ethically, charging for apps can provide even greater long-term value for society due to the longevity and scale it unlocks.
A frame I've been wrestling with lately is the trade-offs between value creation and value capture.
