Actually, Linux Fund recommends this. Please give money directly to Open Source projects whenever possible. However, Linux Fund is an option that works well in some cases. It isn't always easy finding projects to fund or actually contacting and sending money to some of the projects one would like to fund. Linux Fund takes care of these and other problems as well. Linux Fund is not a good replacement for directly funding Open Source projects and this is why Linux Fund has never asked for donations in the past and never will unless it is for a specific program or project that can not be funded directly. On the other hand, Linux Fund is an excellent addition to one's Open Source giving program.
I have always felt that the working environment can go a long ways in controling theft and other miss conduct by employees, and there is a lot more to this than simply giving employees all sorts of benefits.
It starts with communication. Employees don't need unrealistic benefits. They simply need to know they are being treated fairly. Thus, companies need to open the books a bit and let employees know how the company and it's higher ups are doing. Many small companies find this very difficult, but a successful company needs to do this.
Another issue is that many companies regard everything of value no matter how trivial it is. I have seen companies that regarded absolutely everything to be a "trade secret". These companies often think employees have stolen important assets simply because they have taken a job with a competitor. Most of these companies are only fooling themselves; and this costs them dearly because they usually miss whatever it is that they actually do well.
With this in mind, I think a lot of companies would do well by Open Sourcing many of their minor utility programs. Doing this will keep employees from "stealing" things which aren't of that much value in the first place; and make the employees happy at the same time.
Slashdot Mirror
Actually, Linux Fund recommends this. Please give money directly to Open Source projects whenever possible. However, Linux Fund is an option that works well in some cases. It isn't always easy finding projects to fund or actually contacting and sending money to some of the projects one would like to fund. Linux Fund takes care of these and other problems as well. Linux Fund is not a good replacement for directly funding Open Source projects and this is why Linux Fund has never asked for donations in the past and never will unless it is for a specific program or project that can not be funded directly. On the other hand, Linux Fund is an excellent addition to one's Open Source giving program.
David Mandel
It starts with communication. Employees don't need unrealistic benefits. They simply need to know they are being treated fairly. Thus, companies need to open the books a bit and let employees know how the company and it's higher ups are doing. Many small companies find this very difficult, but a successful company needs to do this.
Another issue is that many companies regard everything of value no matter how trivial it is. I have seen companies that regarded absolutely everything to be a "trade secret". These companies often think employees have stolen important assets simply because they have taken a job with a competitor. Most of these companies are only fooling themselves; and this costs them dearly because they usually miss whatever it is that they actually do well.
With this in mind, I think a lot of companies would do well by Open Sourcing many of their minor utility programs. Doing this will keep employees from "stealing" things which aren't of that much value in the first place; and make the employees happy at the same time.