What if I paid for all my free software?

HanlonsRazor

I've always felt guilty by taking for granted the rare breed of virtuous humans that provide free excellent software without relying on advertising. Let's change that and pay, how much would I “lose” anyway? https://www.cynicusrex.com/file/takemymoney.html

Posting this here because I mention Vivaldi in the essay.

Pathduck

@HanlonsRazor Hey, nice blog post, although a bit long winded, didn't really have to go into the whole "Winblowz sux OK" stuff, just gets old

I do try to pay for software I use regularly, especially by solo developers and small companies.

I don't really mind if stuff isn't free or FOSS software though. I like stuff that's got a "supported license" even if it gives no special features from the free version.

Some stuff I've donated/paid for and I use regularly:

Total Commander (been using this for 20+ years, and I think I have 5-6 license keys by now)
Nirsoft - a wonderful collection of useful tools.
WinSCP - SCP/SFTP client, a must-have for sysadmins (on "Windoze").
WizTree/Wizfile
Wikipedia
The Internet Archive
I Don't Care About Cookies (extension)
Tampermonkey (extension)
Cookie Autodelete (extension)
++

LonM

This inspired me to make a spreadsheet to count all the different apps, services, podcasts, etc. that I follow. I'm nearly at 100. I can't pay for all of them . I'll need to prioritise.

I also share your frustration that some only accept crypto.
And I share your confusion that some don't accept donations at all.

This year I donated to KDE for the first time. And of course, I've been donating my time with moderation and testing to Vivaldi.

Pesala

I live on charity, so I use free software wherever possible. I pay back the authors by recommending the software, reviewing it, or supporting other users on forums. Helping others greatly improves my understanding of the software’s features.

HanlonsRazor

@LonM Yeah the prioritizing is no joke. I would be broke if I didn't and included websites.

HanlonsRazor

@Pathduck said in What if I paid for all my free software?:

@HanlonsRazor Hey, nice blog post, although a bit long winded, didn't really have to go into the whole "Winblowz sux OK" stuff, just gets old

As long as Microsoft evades taxes, partakes in anticompetitive behaviour, and downright makes a shitty Malware as a Service operating system, then it hasn't gotten old to bash them.

Ryszard

I was going to start a new thread on this issue. Something like Big and Powerful but costs a bit but I found a ready-made one.

@Pathduck said in What if I paid for all my free software?:

Total Commander (been using this for 20+ years, and I think I have 5-6 license keys by now)

I have one license . I'm a little ashamed to admit, but I've known the program since 1999 (it was called a little different back then) and I only bought the license in 2012. It was a very long month
Since yesterday there is a new Version 11.03

WinSCP - SCP/SFTP client, a must-have for sysadmins (on "Windoze")

Since yesterday there is a new 6.3.1

Wikipedia

https://opp.wikimedia.pl
With us, it's on Wykaz OPP – 1,5%
and numer 0000244732 in my annual tax return

DoctorG

I donated for development/support of useful free/open source Linux and Windows Software.

viljay

It is a bit hard to choose, because I use soo much FOSS and probably many projects I don't even know that I'm using. Especially if we also include devices other than my computer and phone. But yes I try to support them regularly. I don't have made such a nice list, though

As for:

Anki, if you have any Apple device and you have an Apple ID, you can buy their iOS version instead of a donation
K-9 Mail, is pretty much Thunderbird. You could donate to the Thunderbird project if you think that satisfies your rules.

Also are there any FOSS services you are donating for? Something in the vein of Codeberg, MetaGer etc.?

Technob

This post is deleted!

Ryszard

@Technob said in What if I paid for all my free software?:

But what about those people who can not afford paid softwares?

Big and Powerful but Free
For example - today (25 II 2024) I open https://softx.pl/program/total-commander-135s and see PLN 200. I have been using since the fall of 1999 which is a little over 24 years. That works out to a little over 8 PLN per year, or a bottle or two of beer at the store.