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Would following an open core model work better, like it has for Hashicorp, Sidekiq, Tailwind, etc? Also, would focusing more on the low 4 figures result in more

Would following an open core model work better, like it has for Hashicorp, Sidekiq, Tailwind, etc? Also, would focusing more on the low 4 figures result in more revenue? I feel the crowd sensitive to open source has that kind of spending authority, but once you get into the enterprise amounts, it's out of our reach to effect change.

wpietri 5y ago
That could work if the cost per sale were sufficiently low. But unless companies set up some sort of low-overhead system for putting that kind of money into open-source projects, I can't see it working. From what I hear, most devs can't just say, "We use project X a lot, so I'm going to fill out their web form right now and expense a $1k annual donation."
- bdcravens 5y ago
  Those projects aren't donation-based. They are open core (they have an upgraded version that builds upon the open source version, adding desired value that is worth paying for)
jbk 5y ago
> Would following an open core model work better, like it has for Hashicorp, Sidekiq, Tailwind, etc? Yes, I think this might be a better model, indeed. But I did not start either of those projects, I came on board later; and those models are difficult to back-fit into an existing project.
- wila 5y ago
  I don't think it matters much that you didn't start the projects, you are the one who is responsible for them now. That is the part that counts. If the project improves by making a difficult change then that is still your choice to make. Sure some people will complain, but there is always someone that complains when things change.
ozfive 5y ago
At Enterprise levels there is no excuse to be using open source software and not paying some amount to get support. Boo!!! Booo!!! To anyone in an Enterprise that exploits FOSS without diverting funds to it. https://youtu.be/74GdZs2Ilk4 https://youtu.be/74GdZs2Ilk4

wpietri 5y ago

That could work if the cost per sale were sufficiently low. But unless companies set up some sort of low-overhead system for putting that kind of money into open-source projects, I can't see it working. From what I hear, most devs can't just say, "We use project X a lot, so I'm going to fill out their web form right now and expense a $1k annual donation."

bdcravens 5y ago
Those projects aren't donation-based. They are open core (they have an upgraded version that builds upon the open source version, adding desired value that is worth paying for)

jbk 5y ago

> Would following an open core model work better, like it has for Hashicorp, Sidekiq, Tailwind, etc? Yes, I think this might be a better model, indeed. But I did not start either of those projects, I came on board later; and those models are difficult to back-fit into an existing project.

wila 5y ago
I don't think it matters much that you didn't start the projects, you are the one who is responsible for them now. That is the part that counts. If the project improves by making a difficult change then that is still your choice to make. Sure some people will complain, but there is always someone that complains when things change.

ozfive 5y ago

At Enterprise levels there is no excuse to be using open source software and not paying some amount to get support. Boo!!! Booo!!! To anyone in an Enterprise that exploits FOSS without diverting funds to it. https://youtu.be/74GdZs2Ilk4 https://youtu.be/74GdZs2Ilk4