Ask HN: Am I the only one who feels bad for using free software? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Am I the only one who feels bad for using free software?

#11

Post by renanbg » Tue, Oct 06, 2020, 6:22 PM UTC

saluki wrote: post #6

Instead of feeling bad, pitch in money when you can, but even better pick one you could contribute to and contact the maintainers asking how you can help. Then you're giving back and improving the software along the way, I don't think you'll feel bad when you're contributing time to an open source project. The tech world runs on open source, use it and give back when you can.

I'm at the moment looking forward to it. I'm just having some trouble learning other people's code and navigating it, but i guess that's a skill you have to develop by doing it.

Re: Ask HN: Am I the only one who feels bad for using free software?

#12

Post by giantg2 » Wed, Oct 07, 2020, 9:51 PM UTC

I release my software for free. You shouldn't feel bad. People like me release their software to help others.

You can donate money, create your own software, contribute to existing software, or pay it forward in another aspect of life. I think that last option is an important one. Maybe your biggest impact would come from volunteering at a food bank?

I guess what I'm getting at, is that the important thing is perspective and community. If we all have the mindset to help each other, then we can find ways to make our communities better in our own ways.

Re: Ask HN: Am I the only one who feels bad for using free software?

#13

Post by goatcode » Thu, Oct 08, 2020, 5:25 PM UTC

renanbg wrote: post #10

goatcode wrote: post #4

Have you contacted authors and asked how much they'd need, or would feel comfortable accepting?

Well, i didn't, because i can't really afford to donate more than the $2. But if i could, i would indeed sponsor the guys more solidly.

IMO I wouldn't feel bad about donating what you're able to and comfortable with. That's all they're asking for, after all, and likely it's more than the majority even think about giving. If you still feel compelled later on, you could swing back around and toss a bit more their way. Again just my opinion, but I hope it can give some outside perspective.