This issue was resolved a long time ago but it comes up every once in a while, so get involved and have your voice heard.

Is it possible for WordPress to initiate a mechanism to fairly or impartially distribute donated funds back to developers? Essentially a Red Cross for the plugin-developing community? For example, have a pot to collect ‘donations’. At the time of donation, the recipient of funds is unknown. Then at the end of the month or end of the year, funds are split up according to pre-determined rules. For fair dispensing, split funds between eligible developers according to weighted number of downloads of free plug-ins. Or ‘Jackpot style’ for an easier to administer but still impartial dispense, give all donated funds to Top 5 or Top 10 developers in the period. Top 10 developers could be selected according to popular vote (ie. number of free downloads) or selection by WordPress Developing Board according to merits of the code (ie. some plugins might be very valuable to WP but not applicable for a general audience and thereby not likely to garner high download frequency).

Some bloggers will always take more than they give, and by attracting users, that exploitation is a feature that has helped makes WordPress so powerful. But if there was a more structured way to contribute to development, people would be more willing to give back or give back more. I’m not sure that WordPress development is in any danger of stagnating (I sure hope not), but if a simple mechanism can be put in place to compensate developers while preserving the environment that so many people benefit from today, it should surely be worth it.

The lack of support on wordpresses own forums mean blogs like your can survive. If there really is a wordpress community, how come forums threads are cut off or closed prematurely.
As a developer I would pick a paid plugin in a heartbeat over some of the buggy codes created by amateurs. If you have a commercial blog that needs reliable functionality, I recommend you go paid.

Your perspective is worth a lot more than “$0.02,” as it strengthens the argument for paying developers.

Very well said! You covered the ‘hidden’ issues well.

Those who don’t understand the need for developers to earn money must realize, “contributing” and “giving away” aren’t the same things.

Creative developers who bring their talents to the table (even if it is the concept and they are outsourcing) “contribute” value through the outcomes of their work. Getting paid does not lessen the fact that what has been created is beneficial and a “contribution.”

Those who seek it, should be paid for their contributions. “Users” can give back by joyously compensating developers who work to make things better for them (users).

You are not alone.

As an entrepreneur, blog publisher, and Internet marketing consultant, I am one of those people who uses plugins. I couldn’t live without them for WordPress.

I couldn’t write code to save my life…at least not quickly or right away (don’t know how, lol).

You are right. Your critics need to understand this: it is not in our nature to “donate” to that which is given free. I’ve used countless free plugins and though I hate to admit it, have yet to “donate.” And if anyone does donate,” how much? Most of the time customers need to KNOW the value (via a price) in order to perceive value.

As a businessperson, I respect and don’t have any trouble with paying for features I need -and I have, often paid- when there are prices put to them.

The whole “free” thing is nice and it certainly does benefit bloggers, but I think it is unfair to always expect creative people (plugin authors) to simply give, give and give some more.

No matter what amount of time that is put into solving a WP problem or enhancing WP functionality, whether 2 hours or 200…the solution provided brings value.

The work provided by plugin authors/developers is valuable. Everyone has to eat. And everyone should feel free to earn money for the work they contribute, without being made to feel guilty about it.

This -development for “community”- is actually the perfect scenario where everyone can benefit. Because plugins can be downloaded over and over from users in the WP community, developers CAN charge less than they might if they created exclusively for a single client. In other words, it CAN be affordable. Increasing download volume then results in residual compensation (always a good thing).

For developers, the idea of users promoting (via endorsement and/or “sharing”) what is essentially free work, to “help” the developer-creators, is actually harmful. I know this from experience (I’m a writer/designer). The reality is, the more popular your “free” work becomes, the more it costs you. It costs in everything: time, energy and in your relationships as your family, friends and significant others don’t understand why you’re working all the time for no compensation. And you really can’t explain it can you? It doesn’t make sense. Ultimately, it costs in your creative spirit and willingness to continue. The sad result is abandonment of the (plugin) work.

If people REALLY, REALLY look at the whole picture, they’ll see that you, Darnell, have a valid point -that actually does represent vision- vision for the motivation, inspiration and future sustainability of plugin/software development.

People are pretty hard up (supposedly) and they just don’t have money, they would rather spend the time.

That being said. Nobody getting paid to write plug-ins, means nobody is supporting them. Anyone else who truly believes that is sustainable, hasn’t considered past failed attempts like phpBB vs vBulletin, Joomla, phpNuke, ect…

Free economies prey on the naivety of the silver spooners. Plain and simple.