Free and open source software is creating a lot of value. Maintainers however are often capturing no value from their work, rarely out of choice and often times because those individuals and companies that could contribute and fund the development of a project choose not to. And you can’t fault them.
People need to ditch donations/crowdsourcing/patronization models and start selling something instead.
Read the slides from my recent presentation at FOSS4G-NA: Please Sell Something – FOSS Funding for the Next Decate of Innovation
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