Hi Anthony! On Sat, 26 Sep 2020 19:47:29 +0000 Anthony Beaulé via gimp-developer-list <gimp-developer-list@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Hello GIMP developers, > > One of the things I've been enjoying is trying to use less and less > proprietary software, and I've been thinking of becoming a developer for > quite some time now. > > I really love the passion and effort that's put in these projects, yours > included, and I enjoy using them, but I can't say the same about creating my > own Open-Source software; at least financially. > > I want to ask you people out of curiosity because this project has existed > for almost 25 years, and still going strong! Thus, I assume that you > developers would have a lot of experience working with at least this > Open-Source project. > > So here goes: > Question 1: > What do I need to get started on making a project Open-Source? My guess is > just my source code, a list of all the dependencies my program uses, and an > account on a Git website (GitHub, or SourceForge are the two I know). > GitHub/etc. are called "forges" or software dev hubs: * https://www.shlomifish.org/open-source/resources/software-tools/#all_in_one_proj_mgmt * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forge_%28software%29 Regarding best practices for software development see: * https://github.com/shlomif/Freenode-programming-channel-FAQ/blob/master/FAQ_with_ToC__generated.md#what-are-some-best-practices-in-programming-that-i-should-adopt > Question 2: > Can I still control or direct the program after I've posted it on a Git > website? I don't mind other using my code for other projects, as long as I'm > credited somewhere. I also don't mind it when people point-out flaws in my > programs either, I or my team (if I have one) just want to be the one to fix > it. > All free/open source licences gives one the right to fork: * http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/magic-cauldron/ar01s08.html * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork_(software_development) * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Free_Software_Definition > Question 3: > How do you make money off of Free software, and can you live off of it? I'm > also wondering how money is split in large groups like yours. As much as I'd > like to code Open-Source Software, I can't do it for free all the time as I'm > on a tight budget. See https://github.com/nayafia/lemonade-stand ("nayafia/lemonade-stand: A handy guide to financial support for open source"). Note that it is not guaranteed that you'll make a lot of money, but then again it is not guaranteed with non-FOSS either: https://www.shlomifish.org/humour/fortunes/show.cgi?id=joel-test-12-steps-better-code-2 and https://www.shlomifish.org/humour/fortunes/show.cgi?id=the-old-shareware-and-the-android-apps . > > Question 4: > How can you get your program recognised? It's one thing to code a cool > program, but if no one knows about it then it won't stand a chance. I'm > guessing the best thing is just advertise it on social media like everything > else nowadays. > Some people may also find it on search engines. > > In conclusion, I'd love to be more educated in this topic as being > Open-Source is something that I find beautiful in a way, as even if a project > withers it's truly never dead and can bloom again in someone else's project. > I'd also love to make Open-Source projects, but I fear that it may be a waste > of time financially. > Here is what I think of many "waste of time" arguments: https://www.shlomifish.org/humour.html#waste-time . If it brings you joy, it is not waste. Anyway, here is a somewhat more cynical look at managing a FOSS project: https://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/44q1mb/what_have_we_learned_from_this_open_source_project/ . I have also written a tutorial for how to start contributing to FOSS: https://www.shlomifish.org/philosophy/computers/open-source/how-to-start-contributing/tos-document.html and there is this book as well: http://teachingopensource.org/practical-oss-exploration/ Also see the other replies you have received too. > I'd love to hear from you. > ~Anthony.B > _______________________________________________ > gimp-developer-list mailing list > List address: gimp-developer-list@xxxxxxxxx > List membership: https://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/gimp-developer-list > List archives: https://mail.gnome.org/archives/gimp-developer-list -- Shlomi Fish https://www.shlomifish.org/ https://youtu.be/KxGRhd_iWuE - Never Give Up!! Beware of bugs in the above code; I have only proved it correct, not tried it. — https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Donald_Knuth Please reply to list if it's a mailing list post - https://shlom.in/reply . _______________________________________________ gimp-developer-list mailing list List address: gimp-developer-list@xxxxxxxxx List membership: https://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/gimp-developer-list List archives: https://mail.gnome.org/archives/gimp-developer-list
