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> I'd actually like someone to name an open source software project that we all know and love that hasn't benefited from immense institutional support. Honest
by cjo 13y ago
> I'd actually like someone to name an open source software project that we all know and love that hasn't benefited from immense institutional support.
Honest question, what about Debian? I know they had a year of FSF sponsorship back in like '94 but they seem to be heavily volunteer based with even the Project Leader keeping a day-job to pay the bills. I know they take in donations but they're generally who I point to as an example of what a Free/Open Source Software project can be.
edit: '93-->'94
- hacknat 13y agoFair enough, I didn't say this, but my point was more to highlight that people who take in donations are on the right side of the argument, not the wrong side. There are good open source projects that don't take "institutional" support (though who know what work is being done on company time), but they take donations. Let us praise them for doing so.
- nonchalance 13y agoOnce an open source project has enough traction, there is generally little need for outside donations (as companies that use the product will hire people that focus on using and improving the product). The challenge is making that cross-over from hobbyist to professional project, and that is when money is helpful. Debian had funding at the right time, crossed the rubicon and now has enough momentum to continue. Not all projects share the same luxury, and I view the funding as an attempt to make projects more professional
- adestefan 13y agoDebian has ample bandwidth and systems donated to them to keep their build system, mirrors, and other infrastructure up and running.