Re:Looking for Work After 25 Years of Octave
by jordigh on Thursday February 09, 2017 @12:34PM
(#13608860)
The situation really is complicated if you are committed to the constraint of keeping Octave free.
Sidekiq pro is just selling non-free software. It's not just the right to send email.
My second idea was to move to an open core model: hold
back more complex or enterprise-specific features from
the OSS version, sell those features as an "expansion
pack" on top of Sidekiq. Thus, Sidekiq Pro was born.
This proved to be popular and forms my business today.
I can't tell about handsontable, but it looks like again it's just plain ol' non-free software, although they do seem to let you look at the source code under what sounds like a restrictive license.
pfsense also seems to sell a lot more than just an ebook. They sell backups, what sounds like another non-free addon "plus many more features". Maybe most people don't use any of that extra stuff?
None of this sounds like it's just a matter of selling stooge licenses, and the sidekiq guy even said that selling stooge licenses didn't bring in any noticeable revenue.
Re:Looking for Work After 25 Years of Octave
by capitalcrew on Thursday February 09, 2017 @03:11PM
(#13610450)
What is a "stooge license"?
Re:Looking for Work After 25 Years of Octave
by jordigh on Thursday February 09, 2017 @03:23PM
(#13610559)
I keep hearing from engineers who can't donate that I should do something like sell a box with an Octave CD in it or a piece of paper that says it's a license but not actually do much beyond that, maybe only a vague promise to give priority support.
It's a donation in all but in name so that the accounting department will approve it.
In sidekiq pro case, the "support" is a right to send email. If i may say so, that scales with the money you receive.
How to set it up? take a look at sidekiq - they use https://plasso.com. There are tona of alternatives in this space.
More importantly, we are here to help. Please don't hesitate to ask. Also take a look at indiehackers.com to see how others did it.
lastly - we are not angry.. we are frustrated because we have the ability to help. But open source software creators must empathize with procedures and stupid stuff like accountants. Unfortunately thats unavoidable, no matter how much you want to.