Re: [Phpgroupware-users] idea

[Dan Kuykendall]

Brian Connolly wrote:

> Pooh,
>
> Okay, you asked for an idea; here's an idea.  You guys discard the hobby
> model and adopt the Red Hat model.
>
> Developers make real money and have a vested interest (security).  Users get
> a more reliable product (less frustration).  Capital makes for more rapid
> development.  Capital attracts talented developers.
>  
Well, I certainly would be interested where this magic money tree is 
that would have paid for what has been on average of  5 developers time 
for 4 years.
The developer salaries alone would cost about $375k per year in the US 
plus associated costs of taxes and health coverage and such, which is 
generally about 25% of the base salary, so that puts us at $470k per year.
Now over 4 years that is $1,880,000. From the work I have been paid for 
doing support over the last 4 years I have collected a total of about 
$10k, and a few others have also collected even less.

So, Im not sure where you are able to get that kind of capital for 
software that you then give away. I know its possible to make money from 
a well organized support solution, but so far that has not come to exist 
in phpGW land.

So until you can produce your magic money tree to cover the costs of 
this project the hobbiest are what keeps this project alive.

> How's that?
>
> Now for those that just want to play ZONK or diddle with their thingies,
> that's probably not attractive.  I am sure they'll weigh in with the "you
> don't understand Open Source" excuse.
If those that do this as a hobby werent here, I am confident that the 
project would simple fall apart and cease to improve at all.

Dan