[Freegis-list] it is now possible (not mandatory) to pay for the FreeGIS project

[Jan-Oliver Wagner]

Dear all,

we (at Intevation) are discussing economic models behind
free software. It is a complex matter and there is no
single solution of course.

One simple model is to get contracted by a client to
develop or improve a free software. In the area
of GIS we did this e.g. with 'MapIt!'.
Other companies offer this service, too
and I hope even more will do in the future.

How to push projects that are of use for many,
but the individual value is too low to make a
comprehensive investment? Think e.g. about
your free software mail program, file browser or
text editor. Only few of these are occasionally
sponsored by GNU/Linux-distributors or get support
by other interested companies.

We think it is a good idea to give users the opportunity
to pay low amount in a simple process for things they value
- if they wish.
I added this opportunity to FreeGIS now, see
http://freegis.org/about-paying.en.html

If you are a user of a certain free GIS tool and you
want to give money for it, please find ways
to directly support the corresponding project
and don't give FreeGIS the money.

I am very interested in your opinion about this approach
(in general or concerning FreeGIS).

All the best

	Jan

-- 
Jan-Oliver Wagner               http://intevation.de/~jan/

Intevation GmbH	              	     http://intevation.de/
FreeGIS	                               http://freegis.org/