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Software For Ransom

Posted by timothy on from the plain-unmarked-bills-and-no-funny-stuff dept.

rbp writes "I just received a message from Adam Theo on the Jabber Developers Mailing List about what he calls "The Ransom Model" for software publishing. The principle, according to the above linked site, is that the "rights to the source code remain restricted until a set amount of money is collected or a set date passes, at which point the code is freed". Seems like a very interesting way to make money and produce free software. I think it's worth discussion. Take a look at the Ransom Model webpage and join the Ransom mailing list! (You might also be interested in recent news about Blender)" Reader Apreche adds a link to a Freshmeat editorial piece which draws on Theo's idea, writing "This has some obvious problems, but it is worth discussing. The biggest problem I see is where vaporware fits into the equation."

6 of 287 comments (clear)

  1. anyone seen trigger happy tv? by mattbland · · Score: 5, Funny

    i've got the money. please just don't hurt her!

    oh, sorry, thought you were someone else.

    --
    /usr/bin/awake/too/long
  2. It's just a new way to do step 2 by rmohr02 · · Score: 5, Funny

    1: Write Code
    2: ???
    3: Profit!

  3. I can just see it now.. by jamesjw · · Score: 5, Funny

    Gangsta code brokers..

    "Ya see Jimmy, ya gets the .c files now, half now, half later... thens ya gets the .h files and the configure script.. donts be trying anything funny eh Jimmy?"

    Heh..

    --
    -- If at first you don't succeed, lie!
  4. Wasn't this a Mel Gibson movie? by qwijibrumm · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Give me back my code!"

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    I wish there was some there was some way that I could be outside playing basketball, in the rain, and not get wet.
  5. Caldera should try this method by lunenburg · · Score: 4, Funny

    They'd definitely be feelin' the Ransom love.

  6. Re:Ransom is such a negative word by yomegaman · · Score: 5, Funny

    When the source code is released, will it come in the mail with no return address and spelled out in individual letters clipped from the newspaper? If so, where are they going to find enough semicolons?

    --
    ...wearing a skin-tight topless leather jumpsuit, with cutaway buttocks and transparent crotch panel.