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Ask HN: Why don't more open-source projects charge for support/features/bugs?
I see a lot of open source hackers getting jaded by the vampire-like community using their libraries for free and then complaining like a customer. I know that some libraries have a donation button, but most people won't donate. I feel like if these open-source developers would charge for priority support, or put "bounties" on feature requests and bugs, it would become more financially viable for them to work on their open-source projects.
- lsc 17y agomany of the projects with less-technical users do just that. The guy who wrote the billing system i use, http://freeside.biz http://freeside.biz is a good example. He charges for features and if you want it installation and other support.
- coryl 17y agoSo open source devs should offer premium support and paid options for better features...I think thats called running a business, right?
- bobbywilson0 17y agoIf you want to think of it like that sure, they are running a small biz around their software. I don't see it like a regular business where you are developing your software based solely on the customers needs, the devs needs will come first. I see it more like structured donations around user requests.
- Zev 17y agoBrent Simmons (makes NetNewsWire for Mac and iPhone) made a very good post on this topic (well, charging for features, not related to open source specifically) awhile back: http://inessential.com/2009/07/16/dont_offer_50_for_your_favorite_feat http://inessential.com/2009/07/16/dont_offer_50_for_your_fav.... Its well worth reading (as are Daniel Jalkut's thoughts on the conversation, linked to from the blog post). Basically, the points they make are that the motivator for most developers (on all projects, not just open source ones) is to make something good, with money being a side result of your efforts, but not the goal. Or, to paraphrase Daniel a bit, you want freaking awesome and not to simply be going through motions to pay off bills.