Hacker News Reader

PSA to all Open Source maintainers: offer a version of your software for sale!

In many cases I work on projects that use an open source package where donations are the only means of support (if possible at all). I could never get a client to 'donate' €500 but I can easily approve €1000 for software support or licensing.

View on HN

This seems to be the idea behind Vim registration: “You can become a registered Vim user by sending at least 10 euro. This works similar [read: basically identically] to sponsoring Vim (see above). Registration was made possible for the situation where your boss or bookkeeper may be willing to register software, but does not like the terms "sponsoring" and "donation".” https://www.vim.org/sponsor/

No thank you. My open source software is a hobby I spend time on when I feel like it. The moment I start asking for money and selling it it's no longer a fun hobby but instead a burden on my time as I'll now feel obligated provide support since people gave me money.

This is wise. I've known people who have accepted donations that wound up very much regretting it later for more or less exactly the reason you mention.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com