Open or closed source apps?
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As a developer for mobile apps, I'm in a conflict. I would like to contribute to the comunity by creating open source apps, but in the same time I would be good to earn some money from it. Not to be rich, but to by couple of beers, to feel appriciated, maybe in a very good scenario to live from it.
What are your experiencees with donations from the fans?
Is there open source licence, where for example I could limit distribution through nokia store to only me. Detailed example: distribute for free through Maemo extras for Nokia N900, but put it in nokia store to be sold or ad supported. This would pose a problem with contributions from other developers, which I would leave out from the store version. I think this exception would be required, because others could package the application and upload it to the store, without ads and/or free.
If I want to earn some money from my applications is the only viable option to go the closed source route?
Thank you for your answers.
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My thoughts on this is purely theoretical, but here's how I see it:
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If your app is truly unique/completely outclasses an existing app, then go the closed source route and make some money out of it (as you say, you also have to make a living).
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If you're playing around with something fun, not exactly life-changing and more for the development experience, then hit the Open Source road.
I wouldn't bargain too much on contributions from users.
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I guess this choice depends heavily on what your goals are. If you want to earn money, go closed source. If you want to develop your skills I would strongly recommend to go the open source route. You will get a couple of beers that way, too (at least if you hang out at conferences and have some users;-).
Alternatively you can find a job for yourself where you work on open source software. That combines the strong sides of both worlds:-)
/me points to the yellow sticker in the bottom left of this page.
PS: Do not expect a program to write itself when going open source with it. You will need to do all the heavy lifting yourself.
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[quote author="Tobias Hunger" date="1326191233"]
/me points to the yellow sticker in the bottom left of this page.
[/quote]It's actually in bottom RIGHT, but I'll take that as an initial IQ test for the job ;)
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sierdzio: Remember that should you ever get into any situation where you might end up asking me to provide you with directions:-)
