|
- Readme First! -
Read and follow the rules, otherwise your posts will be closed |
|
|
|
|
|
There are currently, 319 guest(s) and 0 member(s) that are online.
You are Anonymous user. You can register for free by clicking here |
|
|
|
|
|
Inspiring Advances and Protecting Free Nuke |
|
 portrower8 writes "Purpose:
I propose that developers and users of PHP Nuke consider partnering with each other to form a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to spearhead, inspire, and encourage new advances in Nuke, and at the same time protect its free and open availablity to the world...
Reason:
But, I think we are at a cross roads. If we REALLY want to see some awesome stuff show up in nuke -- us as users like moi need to compensate folks like developers for the great amount of time they'll spend delivering it.
At the same token, if nuke becomes completely commerical it looses the greatest thing about it for folks just starting or small nonprofits like me.
So tell me what you think about this proposal --
1. Developers all are compensated for the work and time they put into creating something new and great.
2. Projects are funded funded by philanthropic nukers throughout the community FOR the nuke community.
3. So, in essence, you STILL get paid for your work AND the module or enhancement is free for the community to enjoy.
4. It is a GIFT, from the FUNDERS, to the community.
We all have great ideas we'd love to see show up in nuke. We keep waiting hoping some developer will set aside his family time, personal time, to slave for hours and days or months on creating something cool we all love. I know I do :)
But developers are starting to realize that is exhausting. No matter how much they love it -- and some will still do it for free out of kindness of their heart, I think eventually users will have to start compensating programmers for their time and energy.
But how can we compensate them, without driving PHP Nuke completely commercial?
A Proposed Solution
- Establishing a nonprofit entity to take on the responsibility of matching developers with users. The organization would provide an avenue for proposing projects, matching with developers, setting prices, and most important -- a way to accept TAX DEDUCTIBLE contrabutions toward the projects.
It Makes Everyone Happy
- Developers get compensated for their time
- All users get a new cool things added to the community
- Funders see the development of the community move more quickly.
Example:
I beleive that as regular users around the world start to enjoy a gift a group of funders has given them, they too may be interested in contributing to another cool module as a gift from them to others.
This way -- developers are happy because you are compensated for your time, end-users are happy because a majority of cool stuff is still free, and folks like me are happy because we've found a way to speed along the development of probably the coolest thing and community I have ever run across.
Why create a 501(c)3 non-profit entity to 'lead this?
This 'organization' would be responsible for protecting AND inspiring new and free PHP Nuke software to the world.
Contributions could be tax deductible. Creating a selling point for project proposers to raise funds.
I mean -- this only makes sense...especially since a majority of folks using this is churches, schools, clubs, other small nonprofits.
There are enough volunteers around the world to basically keep us from having overhead...so sustainability could be easy -- we'd just need to build a site, get the paperwork done, develop a strategic plan, bylaws and charter and get a group of smart developers to build a site to handle
matching donations or gifts with projects for the community.
It would take some thought and planning -- and I'd need to speak with a couple folks to determine how much work it would be and if it really would be possible --
but, I think it would be an INCREDIBLE opportunity to inspire an AWESOME amount of growth in the community.
Imagine if all the PHP Nuke users around the world had a place they could go too to submit proposal ideas to this nonprofit entity.
Committees of willing developers could review it - and propose the cost for developing it. A simple block would show amount needed to raise for it, and amount so far.
The person or group who submitted a proposal (like a school's PTA wanting something to help teachers handle homework for kids, or a rowing team wanting a module to handle race results) that submitting entity could sit back and let other nukers around the community also contribute to the same goal they shared.
A school in California could see it and decide they'd love it too -- they contribute...match the other school (both tax deductible dontations). This is a selling point for the SCHOOL's PTA themselves. They can go ask for donations from freinds, carwahses, etc.
This way, the submitting entity now knows their project is possible. They have a price and time frame. They can find PARTNRES willing to go in on it.
For example:
I'd love to have a module of some kind that would allow rowers to enter workout results in an 'online log' of sorts...generate graphs showing progress towards goals, that kind of thing.
I know hundreds of programs I could contact explaining the project and if each one threw in $100 bucks we'd have a $1,000 dollars.
Now imagine something that is more likely to have partners?
Obviously not every project could be done.
But maybe --
- After a project is submitted the person who submitted the idea is responsible for getting 'votes' for it. The community votes for projects first...the top few are selected first, prices set - and fundraising done.
It Takes Refinement
Such a project would take a lot of effort up-front. But, in the end, I think it is a great way to inspire growth, speed it up -- but still keep stuff free to most people. We're an internet based community -- finding a hundred people around the world to raise $2,000 should be easy -- especially if they all realize it will help the community AND THEM.
What I am propsing is an entity -- led by folks in the community to give direction, focus and opportunity to make this possible.
1. You all are compensated for the work and time you put into creating something new and great.
2. Projects are funded funded by philanthropic nukers throughout the community FOR the nuke community.
3. So, in essence, you STILL get paid for your work AND the module or enhancement is free for the community to enjoy.
4. It is a GIFT, from the FUNDERS, to the community.
If this is something you interested in email me.
portrower8@tncivics.org
Indicate if you are a user or a developer.
I will compile an email list of
- Developers
- Users
We can then discuss this in a little more detail through email, or maybe setup a forum at NUKECOPS.COM.
The list will help me gauge whether this is a reasonable effort.
The first few discussions we need to have will simply be listing out the the ideas of everyone. I can take these and form a 'business plan' for it and run it by friends in nonprofit agencies for feedback.
The next step would be organizing a 'steering committee' of our developer/user group to begin working on what is required to start a nonprofit.
We could establish another committee to begin working on a site 'infrastructure' to manage the project (ie. -- making a nuke site that could easily accept proposals for different projects, have a scoring system, and a way for users to setup a 'fundraising compeoent' for each 'project'
among other ideas that would obviously need to come from and be inspired by you in our first few meetings.
SO -- if you are INTERESTED in seeing SOMETHING like this happen email:
portrower8@tncivics.org
Let me know if you are a developer or user -- so I can create a roster.
"
|
|
Posted on Saturday, October 23 @ 10:21:51 CEST by VinDSL |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Average Score: 2.18
Votes: 37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content. |
| | | | |
| No Comments Allowed for Anonymous, please register | | | | |
Re: Inspiring Advances and Protecting Free Nuke (Score: 1)
by portrower8 on Sunday, October 24 @ 10:48:05 CEST
(User Info | Send a Message) | If the score on the article is an indicator of your opinions --- it seems that many of you don't think this is a good idea?
Please don't just vote it down -- tell why... that way we can see if we can come up with something better. |
| | | | |
Re: Inspiring Advances and Protecting Free Nuke (Score: 1)
by WildZBill on Sunday, October 24 @ 14:27:58 CEST
(User Info | Send a Message) | As everyone realizes, it is easy to have a wonderful idea, difficult to actually construct anything.
Everyone wants free software, anyone that wants professional software will either buy it or copy it illegally.
Very few people donate money, even for their favorite websites. Many people oppose using government money, because there are always strings attached.
I volunteer to manage software projects. This will be a complex job, but I have software skills and management experience. |
Re: Inspiring Advances and Protecting Free Nuke (Score: 1)
by portrower8 on Monday, October 25 @ 00:17:43 CEST
(User Info | Send a Message) | I agree with you on all counts:
- The job will not be easy. It won't happen over night. And it will fail in the short term. But if we can recognize failures as they come, we can make changes that make it successful over time.
-I agree, everyone wants free software. But I believe if I can have a custom module built by professionals for me and the community at large, I can find a friend in California who wants the same thing to throw in 10 bucks, another in Europe to throw in 20, and I'll match it with my 20...and so on.
- I can see why very few people donate money -- even to their favorite website. I don't see the benefit or how the money helps further the cause. Establishing this will be critical. People don't want to throw away their money -- they want to know...and SEE its impact. If they see that their money is actually pushing through an enhancements or new feature that they and others will enjoy - I bet you WILL see people willing to give out money. Maybe not a lot from one invidiual... but probably the right amount from many.
- I don't propose we even try to get government money. What I am suggested in FOUNDATION funds. Available in grants. For example, there are some foundations out there like Carnigie, Community Foundations, and others which give grants to nonprofit organization for a specific initative or project. Some offer grants for technology or 'bringing technology' to folks.
Our nonprofit would try to invigorate more growth in FREE software (used by indiviudals, schools, nonprofits). There is money to do this, start this kind of work. The only strings attached is foundations often require a 'report' showing you accomplished what you said you would.
For example: If we said our goal with a $10,000 grant is to start a foundation that promotes free software to the public sector, and promotes increased development of free software by organizing developers with users to help fund projects for the community -- we could easily measure that by keeping track of users of the system, surveys, etc.
Anyway, not to drag it out here - your first statement said it perfectly: "...it is difficult to actually construct anything."
it is extremely dificult. it will take time. But if enough people see the benefit -- and are willing to see it through the rough spot ahead... it is possible.
|
]
| | | | |
Re: Inspiring Advances and Protecting Free Nuke (Score: 1)
by GorillaBoy on Tuesday, October 26 @ 17:08:06 CEST
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.livetheword.info | Before you create a 501c3 you really need to look into corporate souls. A corporate soul is like a 501c3 but it is different in that it is totally seperate from government invasions (ie.. tax reporting or audits, etc..). It is the original not for profit classification founded by our forefathers many many years ago. I am currently headed in that direction for our ministry. You do not have to be any sort of religious entity or anything like that to get it. You will have to find someone who knows how to draw up the paper work though (that's the tough part).
All that aside, the proposed would be quite an undertaking in paperwork and management but could be done. Anything can be done when people come together with one purpose and one mind and stay in unity in that.
Good luck!
Gorilla |
| | | | | |
