Allow (optionally) monetising Backdrop core/contrib projects

[ghost]

I'm currently researching Elementary OS as a potential new desktop OS for myself, and I'm interested in their monetisation feature whereby developers can get rewarded for their work. From what I understand, when a developer builds an app (software) for Elementary OS and releases it through the OS-specific app store, they can choose to accept donations from users. If they do this, users can still choose to download the app for $0 (free), but there's the option to give money to the developer who made it (and the OS gets some of the profit too). Some information about this feature https://developer.elementary.io/ and https://github.com/elementary/houston/wiki/Monetizing-Your-App. Also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_what_you_want

I'm wondering if a similar feature for Backdrop would be possible/considered/desired/etc...? If so, I'd propose that all projects (modules, themes, etc.) for Backdrop have this by default, as well as Backdrop core. If a contrib developer doesn't want to receive donations for their work, any donations toward that project go to Backdrop itself. Also, different from Elementary OS, I suggest all projects would be free by default, and you'd have to choose to donate an amount (from what I've seen, it's not so obvious in Elementary OS that you can choose to 'pay' $0, and we definitely don't want people thinking you have to pay anything to use Backdrop).

I'm not 100% sure how this would work from a technical point of view, but Elementary OS also uses GitHub (details here maybe? https://github.com/elementary/houston/wiki/Submission-Process) so I'm sure we could find out how specifically they're doing it and do something similar ourselves.

I've never liked software projects that require payment, and that's why I love free and open source software. So please don't think I want to change this about Backdrop. Simply that I'd be interested to see the option for Backdrop and its developers to receive monetary contribution for their work, and maybe even inspire more (quality) contributors.

#2419 looks to be a similar issue, but specifically discussing commercial contrib projects, rather than optional donations for them.

[findlabnet]

If a contrib developer doesn't want to receive donations for their work, any donations toward that project go to Backdrop itself.

Something is unclear for this case.
Example: I do not want to receive money in this way, but it is not clear to the end user, because payment was made all the same.
Moreover, when you receive money from someone in this way, make sure that it does not imply any additional warranties, liabilities, etc. from you.
BTW, for same reasons I'm finished my researching for desktop OS years ago - Debian GNU/Linux is good for me.

[klonos]

I will reiterate what I said in #2419 back in 2016:

The main reason why I chose Drupal over WordPress and the thing that would make me leave Backdrop.

I am strictly against monetising anything related to Backdrop core and/or contrib. We already accept donations via our main site. Whether that is being marketed as best as possible (or not) is a totally different subject, and can be discussed during our fortnightly outreach meeting (which was intentionally renamed to "outreach" instead of "marketing" for similar reasons).

[ghost]

More info about the payment model used by Elementary OS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_what_you_want (updated OP with link as well).

[klonos]

Watching this week's dev meeting, I feel that it is relevant to reiterate @jenlampton's words:

I'm not sure that money is the answer. I feel like the problem with throwing money into the problem is that you decrease everybody else's desire to contribute, if they're not getting payed, if one person is, or a small group of people are...

[ghost]

It took me a while of scrolling back and forth through the video @klonos is referring to, but I found where @jenlampton said that and I'd just like to clarify that she was replying to a suggestion by @stpaultim that we offer bounties on issues, or offer specific developers payment to get certain stuck issues fixed (my paraphrase). So while I see that money could be an issue here, I think that's a slightly different topic (paying certain developers (and others feeling left out) vs. everyone having the chance to receive contributions for their work).

[docwilmot]

The linked article suggests that this payment model has risks and benefits, and it isn't clear to me how doing this with Backdrop will affect us - it could be good or bad, it seems. I would suggest that we don't do this yet until we mature a bit more.

But a donate button to contribute to Backdrop CMS generally would be useful I imagine.

[ghost]

@docwilmot also said in Gitter:

I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea, but I don't think we are strong enough to survive a fight over this, which is likely considering how polarizing money can be as a subject, nor can we afford to negatively affect our public perception at this stage.

I find this very helpful and wise advice, and I certainly don't want to divide our small but growing community 🙂 So based on that, and the other feedback received so far, I will close this issue. People should feel free to continue to comment if/as necessary, and if there's enough positive interest down the track we can re-open.

[deaddred]

Hmm I'd be in for donating to crowd source account to get people to port more modules. or themes. Having Ubercart and more of its modules fully ported would be awesome and could bring in D6/7 UC users.

[klonos]

Still opposed to the idea, but in case we do decide to do this in the future: https://help.github.com/en/articles/displaying-a-sponsor-button-in-your-repository#about-funding-files

[stpaultim]

I think that we need to keep thinking about the issues of financially sustaining a project like this and not abusing/exploiting contributors. I'm not a big fan of the Wordpress module and am a big fan of the culture that has and continues to develop around Backdrop.

But, I also think we need to keep this conversation open and think creatively. Even if we never pay developers directly - wouldn't it be nice to be able to provide T-Shirts, sponsor local events, or even pay travel scholarships to conferences or events.

Personally, I love the idea of providing a paid short term stipend for a young intern, possibly from an unrepresented community, to work on Backdrop and gain skills, while helping us fix the problems that aren't as interesting for volunteers.

If Backdrop grows and becomes successful, money will be inevitably become a bigger factor than it is today. I believe that either we figure out ways to manage these pressures as a community OR companies will gradually step and fill the gap (which has it's own drawbacks). Probably, both will happen anyway.

Having said all of this, I understand that open source developers have been debating this issue for a long time and there are no easy answers.

(Just to be clear, I'm not trying to raise the profile of this issue today, I just noticed that this issue got closed and felt like commenting, because I think about these issues all the time and think they are important for a sustainable project.)

[ghost]

There's been a bit of discussion about this topic on Zulip recently, so re-opening for possible further feedback/ideas...

[ghost]

Actually, it seems discussion has re-focused on a better donation system and will happen here instead: #4767