I led a small open source project more than a decade ago.
Most people involved had more time than money. I'm quite certain that trying to charge an annual fee from members would have killed the entire project before it was even born.
Introducing money to the equation changes everything. People start to look at the project as a product they are buying, instead of a cause they are contributing to.
I believe the author of this article is deeply misguided. Money is not a way to make open projects work, but it is a good way to kill them.
As soon as money is involved there is a certain expectation of quality and the work being done properly. If you start depending on that money then you are under the control of your customers and your hobby will quickly degrade into a regular job.
Most people involved had more time than money. I'm quite certain that trying to charge an annual fee from members would have killed the entire project before it was even born.
Introducing money to the equation changes everything. People start to look at the project as a product they are buying, instead of a cause they are contributing to.
I believe the author of this article is deeply misguided. Money is not a way to make open projects work, but it is a good way to kill them.