Bernard wrote:
Just a thought
I was under the impression that Linux was free?
OSS is free to use and modify. It cost a lot of time to write. That
time often cost someone money.
I am a comerical programmer (or at least I was for 12 years). What I've
seen time and time again is this...
I spend hours and hours writting something to have someone in marketing
tell me to diable half the features so they've got something they can
introduce later. They then don't pay me to keep writting but keep
charging new users for the software. Hence I'm left unemployeed while a
bunch of smart talking bullshi$ers spin more money off my software than
I ever had a chance to.
As a MS programmer I spent many hours helping people understand
technology without reason. I then realised that the help they'd wanted
was to write auto diallers for porn sites. Following that I felt ashamed.
Personally I give my time away for free to a project I consider worth
while rather than be paid to make liers rich.
Having written something it would bring me great joy to see someone user it.
There are many programers out there with this same view.
I confess I was nieve when I stepped into this arena but I'm proud to
say I was wrong and I have changed my views.
So while I do not mind shouting a few beers for someone or offering some
service in return, why would I pay $60.00 call out fee or buy a new modem?
You would buy a new modem if you want a quick fix with out effort.
You would pay someone $60.00 for a quick fix with out effort.
Consider this, if your modem had been hit by lightening you've shell out
the $$$. In this case you didn't buy the easiest modem to get up and
running.
Easy modem - $120 Hard modem + labour = $120
The result is the same...
You could also consider that by paying someone to do the work you own
what they've done. You could then gift that information back to the
community by jumping in your car for the next guy and getting them up
and running. You could also publish some beter results on the web.
As for Rik... I don't think I'd want to pay a BlueChip tech to fix
something knowing that the tech was getting $2 in every 10 that was the
final bill. Rik on the other hand is as much a donation to the cause as
getting your stuff fixed. I know that if I was earning the money I was
in Australia again I'd pay this guy to do the work without a
hesitation... again I feel embarrised that I didn't pay others more when
I had the chance.
Having said all this I can fully understand your question because it
took me a very long time to see and understand the light.
HTH :)
Cheers Don
Seems to defeat the whole purpose of the system?
Or have I missed something?
