while I fully agree with the critique of VLC usability, we have to admit that we get what we paid for with [probably] majority of open source software.

what's worse, i don't think there is a reasonable solution for this problem. popularity of free software is just too alluring to the users, and asking for monetary compensation instantly reduces the user base.

example: linux and openssl. large corporations benefit from running open source software. do they compensate the authors?