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 How to make profit from app if all open-source?

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TSPalindromes
post Mar 24 2020, 08:24 AM, updated 4y ago

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So my story went back to 22 years ago.......that time during college study, I created a lot of freeware, most are published together with source code.

Then one day I published a .ICO viewer /extracter DOS-based program, a Mat Salleh told me that he didn't expect that to be freeware, because of the higher complexity of source code..... It enlightened me for the first time in my life.... I realize that there is something should not be given away for free!

.......

Until now, people encouraging open-source, so again I created some console app and go open-source.....not making any profit out of it.....

So, my question is, how is some able to promote open-source, while some is able to make profit from selling app... ?

Is profitable app shouldn't be open-source?
TSPalindromes
post Mar 30 2020, 08:24 PM

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Bump
hft
post Mar 30 2020, 08:27 PM

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QUOTE(Palindromes @ Mar 25 2020, 05:01 PM)
So my story went back to 22 years ago.......that time during college study, I created a lot of freeware, most are published together with source code.

Then one day I published a .ICO viewer /extracter DOS-based program, a Mat Salleh told me that he didn't expect that to be freeware, because of the higher complexity of source code..... It enlightened me for the first time in my life.... I realize that there is something should not be given away for free!

.......

Until now, people encouraging open-source, so again I created some console app and go open-source.....not making any profit out of it.....

So, my question is, how is some able to promote open-source, while some is able to make profit from selling app... ?

Is profitable app shouldn't be open-source?
*
Become Apple developers for money.

Open source, who gonna pay?
kelvinfixx
post Mar 31 2020, 08:56 AM

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If there is no open source, then there is no advancement in Software technology right now, so it benefits you too. This topic is complex.
zidane28
post Mar 31 2020, 09:02 AM

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Normally Open Source software either have sponsor on their back, or from big company in which they will have both free and paid version.

Free wise, have basic functionality but no 24/7 support other than forum, paid wise have.

For you alone, if possible should add some donate link so that people who really appreciate can donate to you.

Or, split functionality to both free and paid...
bumpo
post Mar 31 2020, 11:48 AM

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open source simply means the source code is share out in the public domain
doesnt necessarily mean its free nor does free necessarily mean its open source

look at redhat for example. all their core products are open source at heart but yet they make $$ by subscription
TSPalindromes
post Apr 1 2020, 10:18 PM

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Thanks for everyone's answers. Each of them has interesting point.

But I still think that some commercial app's source code, although not entirely original, must have been kept confidential.


matiko95
post Apr 1 2020, 10:48 PM

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QUOTE(Palindromes @ Mar 30 2020, 08:24 PM)
Bump
*
got 2 ways to get paid.

do something like ubuntu....

or get patented
TSPalindromes
post Apr 1 2020, 11:05 PM

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QUOTE(matiko95 @ Apr 1 2020, 10:48 PM)
got 2 ways to get paid.

do something like ubuntu....

or get patented
*
Thanks for the response.

I don't know about how people paying for ubuntu , but I think I get the idea from linux os-based Chromium OS. This OS is open-source, but Google forked a repo that contains proprietary code such as Google Play Store....in effect, only Google's version of Chromium OS (chromebook) can run Android app, making $$$, but other vendors who are based on the same OS, theirs cannot run Android app....
matiko95
post Apr 1 2020, 11:45 PM

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QUOTE(Palindromes @ Apr 1 2020, 11:05 PM)
Thanks for the response.

I don't know about how people paying for ubuntu , but I think I get the idea from linux os-based Chromium OS.  This OS is open-source, but Google forked a repo that contains proprietary code such as Google Play Store....in effect, only Google's version of Chromium OS (chromebook) can run Android app, making $$$, but other vendors who are based on the same OS, theirs cannot run Android app....
*
the simplest way is to build a website. allowing ppl to download via proper channel.
on that website, put ads from google. if u already rich, dont forget to help me.
im also i a pinch.
TruboXL
post Apr 4 2020, 08:00 AM

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Chrome OS also made money through contracts like used in school and so on... Play Store is really an afterthought...

maybe you should provide free and pro version? or freemium with ads...
[d]-ky
post Apr 4 2020, 01:04 PM

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Just one question, is your freeware/open-source getting enough attentions or exposures? If so, why not transfer the your attention to another channel?

Ya'know, free things are actually the most expensive things around the world.
TSPalindromes
post Apr 4 2020, 05:43 PM

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QUOTE(TruboXL @ Apr 4 2020, 08:00 AM)
Chrome OS also made money through contracts like used in school and so on... Play Store is really an afterthought...

maybe you should provide free and pro version? or freemium with ads...
*
Hi, I think it is you (with this logo) who start following my repo.........?. brows.gif
.
But I have decided to delete every public profile off the Internet....no social media and no blog


The idea of having FREE and PRO is good.......though personally, I prefer Donate me $1 link.....no obligation
TruboXL
post Apr 4 2020, 07:44 PM

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QUOTE(Palindromes @ Apr 4 2020, 05:43 PM)
Hi, I think it is you (with this logo) who start following my repo.........?. brows.gif
.
But I have decided to delete every public profile off the Internet....no social media and no blog
The idea of having FREE and PRO is good.......though personally, I prefer Donate me $1 link.....no obligation
*
oh man, should have forked all your repos for closer code inspection and study... laugh.gif

you can look into patreon... lots of artists and content creator use you use this, provide certain brows.gif perks for certain tier...
silverhawk
post Apr 4 2020, 10:30 PM

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QUOTE(Palindromes @ Mar 25 2020, 05:01 PM)
So my story went back to 22 years ago.......that time during college study, I created a lot of freeware, most are published together with source code.

Then one day I published a .ICO viewer /extracter DOS-based program, a Mat Salleh told me that he didn't expect that to be freeware, because of the higher complexity of source code..... It enlightened me for the first time in my life.... I realize that there is something should not be given away for free!

.......

Until now, people encouraging open-source, so again I created some console app and go open-source.....not making any profit out of it.....

So, my question is, how is some able to promote open-source, while some is able to make profit from selling app... ?

Is profitable app shouldn't be open-source?
*
Open source is actually a philosophy, not just a commercialisation model.

The idea for open source is basically the same idea behind patents. Last time a lot of inventors kept their blueprints/ideas secret. When the inventor died, no one knew how to build/maintain the technology. So patents were introduced so that the inventor has a commercial incentive to document their invention and after a period of time that knowledge becomes open to society.

Open source operates on that same principle. Share the source code so that the software can continue to be maintained or upgraded as technology advances. Farmers faced this issue with their tractors that had software to help run it. The company no longer supported certain versions of the hardware/software and required the farmers to pay for a hefty upgrade. Luckily got an open-source community that helped provide a solution to their problems.

So to say an open-source app shouldn't be profitable is of course wrong. It is just requires a different business model.


alexa
post Apr 4 2020, 11:15 PM

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QUOTE(Palindromes @ Mar 25 2020, 05:01 PM)
So my story went back to 22 years ago.......that time during college study, I created a lot of freeware, most are published together with source code.

Then one day I published a .ICO viewer /extracter DOS-based program, a Mat Salleh told me that he didn't expect that to be freeware, because of the higher complexity of source code..... It enlightened me for the first time in my life.... I realize that there is something should not be given away for free!

.......

Until now, people encouraging open-source, so again I created some console app and go open-source.....not making any profit out of it.....

So, my question is, how is some able to promote open-source, while some is able to make profit from selling app... ?

Is profitable app shouldn't be open-source?
*
wait2, you said 22 years ago. How old are you? That time I just 9 years old, don't know anything about coding.
flying_duck
post Apr 5 2020, 04:59 PM

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QUOTE(Palindromes @ Mar 25 2020, 05:01 PM)
So my story went back to 22 years ago.......that time during college study, I created a lot of freeware, most are published together with source code.

Then one day I published a .ICO viewer /extracter DOS-based program, a Mat Salleh told me that he didn't expect that to be freeware, because of the higher complexity of source code..... It enlightened me for the first time in my life.... I realize that there is something should not be given away for free!

.......

Until now, people encouraging open-source, so again I created some console app and go open-source.....not making any profit out of it.....

So, my question is, how is some able to promote open-source, while some is able to make profit from selling app... ?

Is profitable app shouldn't be open-source?
*
wow 22 years ago..
Back in those days where the search engine is not so powerful and the resources on the WWW weren't so rich like today,
I remember one of my lecturers used to brag about how they had to go to the library just to dig up something to study.
Kudos to those who started programming and survive till today.. haha

Back to the topic, some of the companies provide support, training and services to make profit.
For example, RHEL.
TSPalindromes
post Apr 5 2020, 11:06 PM

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QUOTE(d-ky @ Apr 4 2020, 01:04 PM)
Just one question, is your freeware/open-source getting enough attentions or exposures? If so, why not transfer the your attention to another channel?

Ya'know, free things are actually the most expensive things around the world.
*
My freeware has 1 download(s) only on this forum.... hah... anyway, it has about 28 unique clones / download (source code) on GitHub....

Thanks for your suggestion, maybe it is time for me to move on....
TSPalindromes
post Apr 5 2020, 11:08 PM

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QUOTE(silverhawk @ Apr 4 2020, 10:30 PM)
Open source is actually a philosophy, not just a commercialisation model.

The idea for open source is basically the same idea behind patents. Last time a lot of inventors kept their blueprints/ideas secret. When the inventor died, no one knew how to build/maintain the technology. So patents were introduced so that the inventor has a commercial incentive to document their invention and after a period of time that knowledge becomes open to society.

Open source operates on that same principle. Share the source code so that the software can continue to be maintained or upgraded as technology advances. Farmers faced this issue with their tractors that had software to help run it. The company no longer supported certain versions of the hardware/software and required the farmers to pay for a hefty upgrade. Luckily got an open-source community that helped provide a solution to their problems.

So to say an open-source app shouldn't be profitable is of course wrong. It is just requires a different business model.
*
So I see, open source is the more advanced form of patents... tongue.gif

What I understand is, open-source app might gain profit from long-term service & support? I think you're right in saying "different business model"....maybe free for education /home users, but collect fees for enterprise /commercial use...
TSPalindromes
post Apr 5 2020, 11:10 PM

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QUOTE(alexa @ Apr 4 2020, 11:15 PM)
wait2, you said 22 years ago. How old are you? That time I just 9 years old, don't know anything about coding.
*
I am already uncle.... biggrin.gif I am 43 already this year, should be 12 years older than you....but I see you're doing good in your career.

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