[absolutezero1287]

So I've been using Linux for a while now and I've heard OSS, FOSS, and other such terms being thrown around but I never quite understood what they meant.

How do you make money off of software that is free? Like any Linux distro. I can download Ubuntu without having to pay a dime. If I want to contribute to the project I could buy a CD. But how many people actually buy that CD? So how are the developers getting paid? How does anyone make money off of FOSS?

[StumpedTechy]

FOSS works on a number of levels -

1) Donations.
2) Pay for support.
3) Pay for media.

Also note not all linux distros are FOSS. There are some pay for use ones as well.

This can be good and bad both. IMHO its just a different kind of business model. Kind of like MMORPGS that are pay per month vrs MMORPGS that are free to play and you pay for premium content.

[absolutezero1287]

Originally Posted by StumpedTechy

FOSS works on a number of levels -

1) Donations.
2) Pay for support.
3) Pay for media.

Also note not all linux distros are FOSS. There are some pay for use ones as well.

This can be good and bad both. IMHO its just a different kind of business model. Kind of like MMORPGS that are pay per month vrs MMORPGS that are free to play and you pay for premium content.

Interesting but donations aren't exactly the most reliable source of income. The tech support bit is definitely a good one especially when dealing with large corporations. I'm not sure what you mean by "pay for media" though.

[pyritechips]

I think this thread would best be served in the Unix/Linus thread so I am going to move it there.