Why do devlelopers contribute to OSS?

J

jnm86

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May 1, 2012
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I am looking for an answer to this question and really don't know where to start. But responses on here are blunt and that's what I am looking for.

For example, why do developers make extensions for CMSs, contributing to OSS, wheres the monetary return? If anyone here, developer/programmer to be specific can help me answer this question let me know.

We can also talk on Skype
 


CMS modules:

· they feel they owe the platform something because they're using it to earn a living.
· they feed back into the platform to maintain its popularity/development and so continue earning a living from it.
· they become well-known in the community which may lead to more paid work by referrals.
· motivated by doing things for the love of it, instead of doing what will make them richer.
· personal ego/pride or personal reward for helping other people.
· some of their modules might be disposable 'learning projects'.
· maybe they want thousands of beta testers for the free version, and then build a paid version on top of the free code.
· maybe they value the opensource social/political ethos and being part of a community.
 
Chianti said:
CMS modules:

· they feel they owe the platform something because they're using it to earn a living.
· they feed back into the platform to maintain its popularity/development and so continue earning a living from it.
· they become well-known in the community which may lead to more paid work by referrals.
· motivated by doing things for the love of it, instead of doing what will make them richer.
· personal ego/pride or personal reward for helping other people.
· some of their modules might be disposable 'learning projects'.
· maybe they want thousands of beta testers for the free version, and then build a paid version on top of the free code.
· maybe they value the opensource social/political ethos and being part of a community.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I'm just doing some research on this topic. I find it interesting how developers give back to the "community" that allows them to make a living. My question just has been, where does the "making a living" come in. In a world of free open source software ,free downloads, free extensions, modules etc, what makes these developers keep doing what they are doing.

Thank you for your response
 
> where does the "making a living" come in. In a world of free open source software

Most of the module developers build websites for clients, so that's the area they are mainly trying to solicit work from, I think.

In fact, some modules are initially paid for (sponsored) by website clients who ask for custom functionality, on the proviso that they won't own the mod and it will be released as an add-on for the platform. The logic there is that the client is getting their website cheaper than building from scratch (which is not always strictly true though), so by donating their mods they are contributing back into the system.
 
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