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From the article: "Apple Macintosh computers and servers running OSX use NTP, and Stenn said Apple developers have called him for help on several NTP issues. I

by rythie 12y ago

From the article: "Apple Macintosh computers and servers running OSX use NTP, and Stenn said Apple developers have called him for help on several NTP issues. In the last such incident, he said he delayed a patch to give Apple more time to prepare OS X for it. When they were ready, he applied the patch and asked "whether Apple could send a donation to the Network Time Foundation," Stenn recalled. "They said they would do their best to see that Apple throws some money our way." But it hasn't happened yet." Surely, he needs to say upfront that there is a consultancy fee. I'm sure most big companies can't make donations easily, what they can do is pay for services and products which they do all day, everyday.

rythie 12y ago
It's almost like this (at the Apple store): Customer: I'd like new MacBook, I really need to get some work done. Apple Employee: Here you go, this should solve your problem. (gives him a new MacBook) Customer: Great Apple Employee: Could donate to the Apple foundation? Customer: Sure, I'll ask my partner what they think. (walks out the shop with the MacBook, without paying for anything).
pnathan 12y ago
It's becoming entirely clear to me that the vast bulk of nerds running open source projects do not have the requisite skills to operate their projects as a sustainable business adequate to pay their own bills. I am, broadly, of the opinion that a non-profit either needs to take up (or form), an "infrastructure consultancy" firm with financial structure and incentives to ensure that projects like LibreSSL, GPG, NTP, etc are funded and maintained; some of that will involve consulting work for large firms for large piles of money. Anyway, I don't have a lot of swing in that field, but... it's my conclusion. :-)
- rythie 12y ago
  I've come to the same conclusion. It needs a set of junior consultants to do more basic stuff for a decent amount, leaving the main person/people as the highest cost per day - and only called in if necessary. Someone to setup funding or support structures with companies that need/want it.

by rythie 12y ago

rythie 12y ago

It's almost like this (at the Apple store): Customer: I'd like new MacBook, I really need to get some work done. Apple Employee: Here you go, this should solve your problem. (gives him a new MacBook) Customer: Great Apple Employee: Could donate to the Apple foundation? Customer: Sure, I'll ask my partner what they think. (walks out the shop with the MacBook, without paying for anything).

pnathan 12y ago

It's becoming entirely clear to me that the vast bulk of nerds running open source projects do not have the requisite skills to operate their projects as a sustainable business adequate to pay their own bills. I am, broadly, of the opinion that a non-profit either needs to take up (or form), an "infrastructure consultancy" firm with financial structure and incentives to ensure that projects like LibreSSL, GPG, NTP, etc are funded and maintained; some of that will involve consulting work for large firms for large piles of money. Anyway, I don't have a lot of swing in that field, but... it's my conclusion. :-)

rythie 12y ago
I've come to the same conclusion. It needs a set of junior consultants to do more basic stuff for a decent amount, leaving the main person/people as the highest cost per day - and only called in if necessary. Someone to setup funding or support structures with companies that need/want it.