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One reason i refrain from asking for money for software is that the creators of almost all software i use in my life and 100% of the software i use to create so

by zrth 10y ago

One reason i refrain from asking for money for software is that the creators of almost all software i use in my life and 100% of the software i use to create software don't ask for money.

megalodon 10y ago
Agreed. The reason I became a programmer is because of all the wonderful people who decided it was worth their while to share their code for free. Being able to do the same for others is a privilege.
- ethbro 10y ago
  I think the counterpoint to that is that working and sharing code for free < working and sharing code for free... and eating. As my father once told me, "Son, anything worth getting is worth asking for." Share your talent freely with those who need it, strike a fair bargain with those who can afford it, and sleep comfortable in having made the world a better place. Or, in other words, pure altruism isn't sustainable.
  - seeekr 10y ago
    In other words, you can't exclude yourself from "altruism" while expecting it to actually accomplish what you intend for it to accomplish. If you exclude yourself, you'll just create a situation where others have to come and help you, because you're not sustaining yourself. Which, in that sense, is not an altruistic thing to do for another. So in that sense, the prevalent definition of "altruism" is that of a dysfunctional thing. Maybe it should be called "wholism" or "everyoneism", maybe its definition needs to change -- in our minds and actions first, of course.
- xiaoma 10y ago
  As is your ability to share your fine thoughts with us for free on this site.
kbuchanan 10y ago
Don't forget that open source software brings rewards of all types - reputation, outside contributions, and eyeballs. The beauty - and paradox - of open source is that people produce software, in an act of self-interest, for free. Ask for money when it makes sense. Give it away when it doesn't.

by zrth 10y ago

One reason i refrain from asking for money for software is that the creators of almost all software i use in my life and 100% of the software i use to create software don't ask for money.

megalodon 10y ago

Agreed. The reason I became a programmer is because of all the wonderful people who decided it was worth their while to share their code for free. Being able to do the same for others is a privilege.

ethbro 10y ago
I think the counterpoint to that is that working and sharing code for free < working and sharing code for free... and eating. As my father once told me, "Son, anything worth getting is worth asking for." Share your talent freely with those who need it, strike a fair bargain with those who can afford it, and sleep comfortable in having made the world a better place. Or, in other words, pure altruism isn't sustainable.
- seeekr 10y ago
  In other words, you can't exclude yourself from "altruism" while expecting it to actually accomplish what you intend for it to accomplish. If you exclude yourself, you'll just create a situation where others have to come and help you, because you're not sustaining yourself. Which, in that sense, is not an altruistic thing to do for another. So in that sense, the prevalent definition of "altruism" is that of a dysfunctional thing. Maybe it should be called "wholism" or "everyoneism", maybe its definition needs to change -- in our minds and actions first, of course.
xiaoma 10y ago
As is your ability to share your fine thoughts with us for free on this site.

kbuchanan 10y ago

Don't forget that open source software brings rewards of all types - reputation, outside contributions, and eyeballs. The beauty - and paradox - of open source is that people produce software, in an act of self-interest, for free. Ask for money when it makes sense. Give it away when it doesn't.