[maemo-developers] "Donate $x" button on Packages and/or Downloads

[From: Aldon Hynes]

Interesting question.  I was asked by a friend at Red Hat if the value
proposition of the N900 was that it was Linux based or Open Source.  In his
mind there was a very important distinction.  Linux based means a more
reliable OS.  Open Source means access to the source code.  Neither of which
necessarily mean 'free software'.

As I read the maemo.org website, I see references to 'open source' on the
front page, but not Linux nor 'free software'.  Personally, I'm more
comfortable with being part of an 'open source' community than a free
software community.  I believe that for the N900 to successfully compete
with the iPhone and Android phones, there needs to be a way of financially
rewarding open source developers for the N900.  It seems like Andrew has
come up with a suggestion that addresses this very well and I would love to
see it implemented.

That said, there are lots of issues that such a system would run into, as
the N900 is distributed in many different countries with many different
payment systems and for that matter, many different tax laws.  My gut
feeling is that connecting to existing micropayment systems, particularly,
perhaps some related to the gaming industry, might be a good way of doing
this.

I look forward to how this discussion evolves.

Aldon

-----Original Message-----
<snip>
> I thought maemo was supposed to be a free software community.