[IAEP] Sugar Labs or Sugar Daddy

[Wade Brainerd]

I have said it before, but I believe that any successful software business
needs a revenue stream that's tied to sales.

For example, Firefox makes money from downloads via the Google toolbar.
MySQL makes money from support contracts.

Open source projects like Debian survive entirely based on the contributions
of volunteers.  However, most of these volunteers are attracted to projects
like Debian for the do-it-yourself aspect of computing.  They make Debian
better because it makes their own computing experience better.  Sugar is not
like Debian.  It is not designed to be good for programmers or experienced
computer hackers.

Grants and foundation support are good to a point, but they often require
that you tailor your own efforts to match the values of the foundation or
grantor.  This dilutes the vision.  Sponsors are also good to a point, but
they *always* require that you tailor your work to match their needs.  This
also dilutes the vision.

The way to ensure a long term, healthy, successful project is to stick to
the vision, make your product the best you can, market the hell out of it,
and find some way to earn money from that.

Best,
Wade

On Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 8:23 AM, Caroline Meeks <solutiongrove at gmail.com>wrote:

> I think its good to discuss, but I think we should be careful about making
> decisions before their time. This project has tremendous potential. There
> are large entities looking at us. The US funding landscape is expected to
> change for the better in the next few months with the new administration and
> the stimulus package.  Another lesson from business is be agile and able to
> respond to changing market conditions.  Personally, I think thinking but not
> coming to a conclusion right now is the right decision.
>
> --
> Caroline Meeks
> Solution Grove
> Caroline at SolutionGrove.com
>
> 617-500-3488 - Office
> 505-213-3268 - Fax
>
> _______________________________________________
> IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!)
> IAEP at lists.sugarlabs.org
> http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
>
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