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Would an Ad-Sponsored OS/Desktop Work for OSS?

Posted by Cliff on from the discussions-on-another-form-of-funding dept.

Gentu asks: "OSNews runs a quick blurb and poll on the idea of an ad-sponsored OS or desktop. What is interesting is that the answer is a bit hard, as embarrassing commercialism is against the freedom of Open Source Software, while on the other hand, it is a handy and easy way to get funding for your favorite open source project. What does Slashdot think about the issue? Which is more important: the software and how we can continue evolving it by any legal means, or the licensing and philosophy behind it?"

2 of 437 comments (clear)

  1. they saw that coming by mblase · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Naturally, if you are a bit capable with C/C++, you could freely recompile the OSS project and remove the ad splash screen - but how ethical that would be?

    Entirely ethical, I should think. You gave me the code and the open-source license to modify it as I see fit, didn't you?

  2. Why not? by Nomad7674 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Which is more important: the software and how we can continue evolving it by any legal means, or the licensing and philosophy behind it?

    Many people are pointing out that OSS's beauty is that ad-supported software can be easily recompiled without the ads. Well, so what? This seems like an advantage of the approach to me. Those who wish to support a project through direct monetary means can still do so and recompile without the ads. Those who wish to support a project through ads (perhaps strapped-for-cash college students) can do so by leaving the module in the code. Those who wish to support the project by contributing code and not cash can strip the ads out. And those who wish to not support the project are not forced to do so.

    Who is hurt by this? No one! And still it opens up a new revenue stream for OpenSource OSes and applications.