I personally love the idea.
I am (sadly) one of those people who run an Ad-blocker. There are some sites that are so infested with Adware that one almost has to run something-and then I forget to Whitelist the sites I want to see Ad revenue...i've got to get better with that.
I don't see any 'scary change' at all by adding a 'buy' option to your Downloads section...you have always accepted donations, this is just a reminder that "Hey, you can make a one-time donation right now if you feel like it." It's actually kind of nice to be reminded rather than to Download, try out the OS for awhile and then remember 6 months down the line that you 'meant' to donate, make a note to do so and then forget again by the time you get home from work... (like I did on Fedora Core 2, Mepis, Bonsai Linux....) :imsorry
Have you considered a Patreon setup where for $5 one-time payment you could provide services over and above the norm such as: Early Stable Releases 7-10 days in advance, Early release of new products (updated case badges, DVDs etc) likewise? Those who don't/can't pay would still get the updated products of course-just a little later.
Any plans to create more merchandise (coffee mugs, shirts, 'Feather' pens, etc) or is the profit margin too thin on those?
I see by your Promo pages that your team is available to customize the OS for individual businesses-is that working out for you? ( I will accept 'Can't discuss' as a viable answer :dft001
. On a related note-have you considered a "Generic College/Lab" Lite, a "Generic Internet Business" Lite, a "Server/Network with all options" Lite, a "Multimedia/Gamer Theater" Lite, etc? If you're available to customize then you've already put the sweat equity in-and the customization/optionware/Specialty Drivers would justify a 'non-free' option while leaving the (easily-customizable) OS as free as it ever was...
At any rate-I love the Payment options. It's not like you're holding a gun to anyone's head, or eliminated the 'free' option...so what's the harm?
I am (sadly) one of those people who run an Ad-blocker. There are some sites that are so infested with Adware that one almost has to run something-and then I forget to Whitelist the sites I want to see Ad revenue...i've got to get better with that.
I don't see any 'scary change' at all by adding a 'buy' option to your Downloads section...you have always accepted donations, this is just a reminder that "Hey, you can make a one-time donation right now if you feel like it." It's actually kind of nice to be reminded rather than to Download, try out the OS for awhile and then remember 6 months down the line that you 'meant' to donate, make a note to do so and then forget again by the time you get home from work... (like I did on Fedora Core 2, Mepis, Bonsai Linux....) :imsorry
Have you considered a Patreon setup where for $5 one-time payment you could provide services over and above the norm such as: Early Stable Releases 7-10 days in advance, Early release of new products (updated case badges, DVDs etc) likewise? Those who don't/can't pay would still get the updated products of course-just a little later.
Any plans to create more merchandise (coffee mugs, shirts, 'Feather' pens, etc) or is the profit margin too thin on those?
I see by your Promo pages that your team is available to customize the OS for individual businesses-is that working out for you? ( I will accept 'Can't discuss' as a viable answer :dft001
. On a related note-have you considered a "Generic College/Lab" Lite, a "Generic Internet Business" Lite, a "Server/Network with all options" Lite, a "Multimedia/Gamer Theater" Lite, etc? If you're available to customize then you've already put the sweat equity in-and the customization/optionware/Specialty Drivers would justify a 'non-free' option while leaving the (easily-customizable) OS as free as it ever was...At any rate-I love the Payment options. It's not like you're holding a gun to anyone's head, or eliminated the 'free' option...so what's the harm?