kicad-developers team mailing list archive

[Michael Heidinger <mch.heidinger@xxxxxx>]

Hi,

i find this idea great. I really like that. There are some features to 
realize I would pay for it; but I'm afraid this can't be enought to live 
from this little money (lets say up to 100 usd for a "big" feature).

My idea is the following:
1. Step: Feature proposal: A user proposes a new feature.
2. If you consider it as too special, e.g. someone can say "I will do it 
for the amount x usd as it is very speacial (but the price must be 
fair!) in x days". Now its awailable in a kind of store, where you can 
buy percentages of the feature. Of course 1 person can buy 100%! The 
money is transfered to an account of trust.
3. If 100% of the amount is reached the developer starts developing. 
After the user is satisfied the account of trust transfers the money.
4. Now the feature is awailable for everyone. In the corresponding 
source code is marked "sponsored by user x programmed by user y"

I really like this idea, as I am not very experienced in software 
programming and I sometimes would really need some improvements for a 
faster more efficent pcb design.
Keep in mind: Some guys also use that program to make money, so why 
shouldn't also you, the development team, profit from it?

What I would be interested in: Are the developpers interested? Taking 
money also means to statisfy the wishes of the customer and that means a 
minimized freedom in programming.

See you
Michael

On 10/14/2010 09:02 PM, Alex G wrote:
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>
> On 10/14/2010 01:33 PM, Jerry Jacobs wrote:
>    
> > Dear all,
> >
> > I bumped on a very nice article which can also be used in the KiCad
> > project. Or any other open-source project.
> >
> > http://fsmsh.com/3439
> >      
> That was a very good read, thanks. I used to say that I wouldn't pay for
> software. Then I realized that I cannot simply take something for free
> and give nothing back, so I started to get involved in making the
> software, and finally ended up squeezing my brains out with kicad. :P
>
> I like the idea. I realized that, If I really wanted a feature in a
> program, and it would cost a meaningless amount (compared to proprietary
> software), I wouldn't mind paying for it.
>
> The idea is applicable in kicad, but we lack the infrastructure at the
> moment. My only fear is that, if M$ goes this route, Linux will finally
> have some real competition.
>
> Alex
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