Enterprise open source Toolkit
Story: Mozilla looks to reward contributors
Posted by: Anonymous (Thursday 23 March 2006, 6:36 PM)
My understanding is that contributors to open source projects do so because they want to make a difference to the world.
Why not build on that altruistic behaviour?
Why not say "your contribution has been worth $x to Mozilla. Which organisation do you wish your money to be sent to?". The contributor could select a charity or, perhaps, a struggling open source project.
I strongly feel that paying for contributions will be disasterous to the volunteer ethos which binds these projects together.
As soon as money - even small amounts - is involved, some people will become interested in the project because of the money, not the love of the work.
These people will find the inevitable loopholes and inconsistencies in whatever payment scheme is created.
Others will lose out, and, once they find out, feel aggrieved.
The project as a whole might gain a slightly larger workforce, but time and energy will be spent by that workforce making sure that they're being treated fairly.
Allowing people to donate their "earnings" will make them feel doubly good about themselves. Watching others steal their money will just make them feel bad
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