[development] Why I don't Upload a Module to Drupal

[Domenic Santangelo]

It took me a minute to parse the language, but I think Fred is saying  
he asked 3 people to kick in $50 each ($150 total) to write some code  
for them and they weren't interested.

I agree that the foss model is overwhelming and confusing for many. I  
think we are each of us passionate about Drupal, to varying degrees of  
course, and our work generally falls into one of 2 categories: stuff  
we are personally passionate about (usually ends up as contribs), and  
work we get paid for. On many occasions, someones skill and passion  
intersects with someone elses need, and they end up with what they  
need for no cost. Often times this isn't the case. Probably preaching  
to the choir here.

For me, an hourly rate is compensation primarily for using time which  
could otherwise be spent on stuff I'm personally passionate about.

That is of course not to say that we as consultants aren't passionate  
about paid work, usually just the opposite. Unless the pay is so  
stellar that manufacturing passion is realistic (hey, it happens!), I  
try to take paid gigs that align with my interests-I think that's best  
for everyone.

Fwiw.

D



On Aug 17, 2009, at 12:24 PM, Robert Douglass <rob at robshouse.net> wrote:

> Fred - I was just joking, of course.
>
> I'm not surprised that nobody responded to your offer. $50 is a very  
> low
> price to pay for a feature/module, but many people are overwhelmed by
> the "freeness" of it all, and mistake open source with "at no cost".
> Chances are there is also some company out there willing to pay
> thousands for the same feature/module. Making efficient markets is
> essential.
>
> And as for rewards, I can tell you that the most rewarding thing I  
> do at
> work on any day is cvs commit -m "new feature for apachesolr"
>
> I can't explain it, but it tops all other forms of professional
> satisfaction. I enjoy developing modules so much that it's a dream  
> come
> true that someone pays me to do it.
>
> Glad you're looking for ways to help - it generated a good thread!
>
> -Robert
>
> ----Original Message-----
> From: Fred Jones <fredthejonester at gmail.com>
> To: development at drupal.org, rob at robshouse.net
> Subject: Re: [development] Why I don't Upload a Module to Drupal
> Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:08:01 +0300
>
>> You lazy blood sucking pig! (did that confirm your worst fears? ;-)
>
> Hey, were you writing to me or the OP? :)
>
> Something interesting I could say is that I once saw 3 people post on
> d.o about the same feature they wanted. I figured I could code it up
> in a few hours. So I emailed all 3 and told them I was emailing all 3
> and said if each of you wants to cough up fifty smackers, I will code
> it. I was a bit more professional in my language of course. ;)
>
> But guess what? Not even one responded.
>
> Maybe they're "lazy blood sucking pigs" also, eh?
>
> I really admire those folks who put in hours to make and maintain big
> modules and of course core itself. Always wondered really how they do
> it. Nobody's giving them any awards for it I don't think.
>
> F
>