[kwlug disc.] Proposal: Free Software Buying Club

[Raul Suarez]

--- Paul Nijjar <pnijjar at utm.utoronto.ca> wrote:
> I think it
> might be beneficial if KWLUG were to start a monthly
> contribution to
> free/open source software projects. I am not certain
> we should do this
> and I don't personally have the capacity to run it
> all by myself, so I
> am soliciting feedback and assistance.

As with most other things I like I would say KISS[0,1]

Here are some of my thoughts

1. A replier mentioned: One of the LUG goals is to
raise awareness. Including a reminder at the begining
or end of the meeting that contributing to your
favorite FLOSS project is important would be aligned
with this goal.

2. Why do people think that $10, $5 or even $1 is a
small amount? If all the people that think that $1 is
small contributed it wouldn't be that small, eh?
Example: $10 (or less) can support the webhosting
costs of a project for a full month. 24 people
contributing $5 cover the web hosting for a full year!
What about every user of whatever project giving $1 ?

3. It's interesting to see that it is more common to
have a computer iliterate do ecommerce than one of us
geeks. It does not cost anything to send money through
PayPal. So, if that is the issue, an informal
lottery-pool-like "organization" may be all it's
needed for people who is willing to contribute but
don't feel comfortable using PayPal (only one of them
needs to have an account and trust is paramount)

So, I'd say KISS and tell.

=================
[0] See I can also do foot notes.
[1] For those that don't know KISS=Keep It Simple,
Silly (some may say "stupid" but I like the former one)

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