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Bribe developers to fix bugs

bribe.io

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Bribe developers to fix bugs

#1
We are creating Bribe.io for Startup Weekend. It is a service which allows users to pay developers to prioritize bugs that need fixing. We'd like to get feedback from users and developers who would use this new service. Please check out Bribe.io and fill out our survey.

Bribe developers to fix bugs
bribe.io

Re: Bribe developers to fix bugs

#6

Aka, extort users to pay for bug fixes :)

We hope that the vast majority of users will not exploit users. There are also many businesses which rely on open source software but there is no system for them to find and pay capable developers to fix bugs or implement new features they need.

One area we have discussed is Wordpress plugins. There are thousands of users using various plugins which may need some updates. They need to be updated as web browsers change and perhaps someone really likes a Wordpress theme but it has not been adapted to work on mobile. This scenario would be a good for Bribe.io which would help lots of people.

We will allow multiple people to join in on a bribe to up the amount to recruit developers to work on the job. So if there are 10 Wordpress users which all put in $10 it may be enough to give a developer the incentive to spend time to take on the challenge.

Re: Bribe developers to fix bugs

#7
I was considering starting a kickstarter like site for this as well. Some projects have stalled development. It would be interesting to have a system where people can create a road plan for a particular stalled open source project, and donate to the development. Once a given target is reached, developers can bid on the project, compleat it, and get paid.

There are some projects, like DoubleCommander, which I would pay money to make it move faster, as it's the only viable TotalCommander clone for MAC. However, I can't afford to hire anyone to work on it by my self, and can't expect the primary developer to work on it for free any harder than he already is.

Re: Bribe developers to fix bugs

#9

I like the idea. But bribe has a negative feel to it. Why not bounty?

I joined the project and made the same suggestion. Brad likes calling it Bribe so we are going with. It may make it more interesting and get more attention this way.

The bottom line is we want this to be a system that helps people. I've been at the mercy of open source projects which don't stay on top of known bugs which I am not always able to fix myself. I personally would love to task someone who is better prepared to take on the work to take on the job and I can focus on what I do best.

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