Re:A clear-eyed view of open software funding, impediments, ...
by kerkeslager on Thursday August 29, 2019 @01:04PM
(#20831404)
I think that this is maybe mistaking why some developers create free software in the first place.
Personally, it's not about money when I do it--for me it's about pushing humanity forward with new capabilities. So for me, the problem really is companies not contributing back changes. Even if companies use my software, I don't see it as me working for them for free, I see it as me working for humanity for free.
That said, no free software I've ever written has ever gotten a significant user base, so perhaps my feelings would be different if I were a more successful free software developer.
Personally, it's not about money when I do it--for me it's about pushing humanity forward with new capabilities. So for me, the problem really is companies not contributing back changes. Even if companies use my software, I don't see it as me working for them for free, I see it as me working for humanity for free.
That said, no free software I've ever written has ever gotten a significant user base, so perhaps my feelings would be different if I were a more successful free software developer.