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The problem is that individual users are the only people coughing up money! Sure we order cd's and tshirts. Sure it helps a little. The real problem is that companies who use the software (not just OpenBSD, but OpenSSL, OpenSSH, etc.) that can afford to donate large amounts, don't. Yes, it's their right, based on the BSD license. It's just greedy, however. Freedom comes at a price...
I understand completely where you are coming from. Check out the donation page (http://www.openbsd.org/donations.html). You can donate $5 here and there. It does add up and the project does appreciate it. Whether you are a fan of OpenBSD or not, the group does help other projects create better programs in the form of diff's and of course they are the group behind OpenSSH. If you can, please donate!
It's important to note that it's not just so that Theo can keep working on OpenBSD, and it's not just the OpenBSD project that is feeling the crunch.
It's so that the group of developers that work on all these projects (OpenBSD, OpenBGP, OpenSSH, etc.) can keep hosting their hackathons and maintain their servers.
Without funding, these projects will NOT die. BUT, without funding, their current development model and activities will CHANGE, probably to the detriment of the projects involved.
If you use OpenBSD, you already know the story.
If you use OpenSSH (as you should), then you should seriously consider donating even a couple bucks (yes, even $1) to show your appreciation for something so fundamental to the way you use computers.
~rmg
RE[2]: $100K USD for GPL version ?
No, it was a Troll, plain and simple. You brought up the concept of converting a BSD licensed programme to the GPL, the very opposite of what the BSDs do. You alluded to the concept that more people would support the project financially if it didn't have the core goals that it does.
You also implied that only the BSDs share some sort of responsibility to help OpenSSH continue - last I checked every Linux distribution uses it.
RE[4]: $100K USD for GPL version ?
RE[6]: $100K USD for GPL version ?
Neither the BSD license nor the (L)GPL deals with financing in any way therefore it has no relevance to this discussion. These licenses only deals with the source code, not with any monetary matters.
It would seem that you have nothing better to do than to bring up this tired old GPL vs BSD discussion at every possible opportunity.
RE[7]: $100K USD for GPL version ?
RE[4]: $100K USD for GPL version ?
I disagree, and so does Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll
At least half of your posts on this forum contain the following:
- Inflammatory messages, including racist, sexist, classist or otherwise needlessly hateful comments.
ex. Your liberal use of ad hominem attacks.
- Opinionated statements: Posting messages expressing their own opinions as generally accepted facts without offering any proof or analysis.
ex. Your claims of 20+% GNU/Linux desktop share with no stated source for such information.
- Politically contentious messages: "Everyone knows that all Republicans/Democrats are evil."
ex. (Non-open source developers) are liars, thieves, and traitors.
- Feigning innocence, after a flamewar ensues.
ex. Too many to count.
You honestly may not think you are trolling but you definitely are, and we foolishly feed you every time. You simply re-stated what was already implied in the article (That not enough people are donating) and proposed something that would be flamebait for the BSD crowd (OpenBSD would attract donations if it were under GPL). Not to mention that your final question “The real question is would Open BSD people switch to the GPL if 100k and more where raised ?” is moot because it clashes with the direct statements in the final paragraph of the source.
RE[4]: $100K USD for GPL version ?
RE[2]: $100K USD for GPL version ?
You're not a troll, but I totally disagree. GPL sucks. You call it freedom? Please read this article and then we talk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSD_and_GPL_licensing
No the GPL dont suck. If it did nobody would use it. You dislike it for some of its values and for what it does and stand for.
No I dont call it freedom , because I know very well the meaning of freedom , I exactly say : it give more freedom.
No , we dont talk , in order for talk to take place there as to be mutual respect , you dont respect the GPL , for talk to take place you have to undertsand and listen to the other , you not listening your telling me I am wrong and beeing close minded , for there to be talk you have to understand the subject from both angles , you dont know the BSD andgle and are trying to discuss the GPL one.
That article is false , wrong and incomplete , the simple fact that they show BSD projects and GNU mascots means that the article is tainted by partisanship from both side and as gone into propaganda instead of facts.
Oh yes dont forget to send 100$ to Open BSD , they need it.
RE[2]: $100K USD for GPL version ?
"OpenBSD is an OS without its own hardware"
There's "Linux" hardware?
"without paying user"
Incorrect.
"without a community of paying customers"
Uh, community of paying customers?
"and it as no club"
Oh noes!
"no income"
Incorrect.
"and is always on the brink of oblivion because there is not that many contributor to it."
Incorrect.
the license is not to blame because the other BSDs are doing great.
From what I gather, a large reason for the money differences is that free and net are officially non-profit so donations result in tax breaks. Dragonfly isn't yet, but Matt Dillon pays for everything they've needed so far (that probably won't last forever).
The OpenBSD people don't like bureaucracy, but it would be sweet if someone could set up a foundation seperately and then just dump all the funds into Theo's bank account.
In case you didn't know, you can also donate hardware. This option works for me better than plain money, because I need the money myself to buy food and pay the rent and because I happen to have hoarded too much computer parts already.
http://www.openbsd.org/want.html
I have a couple of SMP boards they might be interested in... I know this doesn't help in paying for the developers, but at least it's a donation.



Go for the OpenBSD wardobe... puffy is always in style!