In today's open source roundup: A redditor thinks that GNOME developers should make him pay for software. Plus: Ubuntu 14.10 may be a boring release, and the FBI doesn't like encryption that protects user privacy One of the best things about open source software is the ability to use software without having to pay for it. But is this really a sustainable model? Or has the time come for open source developers to start requiring users to pay for software? A redditor thinks that GNOME developers should start making him pay for software. According to Reddit: I have switched from OSX to Linux (first Ubuntu, then Fedora) about two years ago and although I personally love Linux and sticking with it, I’m not going to convince my mother to make the switch. When I first made the switch I believed all the people who said it’s just as easy as windows or OSX but truthfully, it isn’t. It think there are several reasons but my biggest complaint is availability of apps/software. Not all programs are available for all distros and sometimes one has to wait forever for an update (llibreoffice, geary etc). I think there is a good chance this could change if developers start making money from their hard work. My biggest hope here is gnome software. While it’s only available on Fedora right now there are already talks of it being used in the future on arch and ubuntu gnome. I would love to see more software / apps being developed for Linux, software that is user friendly, gets regulary updated and most important of all, sticks to the GNU principles. I’d be willing to pay for that. More at Reddit Image credit: Tech Rights Should users pay for open source software? This is a very interesting question, and not one you see come up very often in the open source community. I give the redditor credit for bringing it up and risking the wrath of the open source community. Such ideas are generally considered unpopular among many open source users. Fortunately, I don’t think it’s really necessary for developers to begin charging users. Many open source projects accept voluntary donations from users that want to support them. The redditor mentioned GNOME in his message, and I’m pleased to note that he and any other GNOME user can make a donation to support GNOME right now. And there are plenty of other open source projects and Linux distributions that will accept donations. Just poke around on their site and you can usually locate a donation page or button. I don’t think any of them would turn down financial support from users. But will donations deal with the other issues raised in the redditor’s message such application availability and updates? Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee of that at all but regular donations to a project might provide additional incentive for developers to improve such things. Ubuntu 14.10 may be a boring release Softpedia is warning that the media may characterize the release of Ubuntu 14.10 as boring. According to Softpedia: Ubuntu 14.10 (Utopic Unicorn) will be launched soon and the developers are very close to finishing the work for it, but users have to be prepared for what the media will probably call “a boring release.” The founder of Canonical said a very interesting thing a while back, when he was asked the same question about Ubuntu 13.10 – was that release a boring one? He said that boring was a good thing and that it meant the team had done a good job. A new release is not about the bling, but more about stability. That should be a premium feature of any Linux distribution, so if Ubuntu is boring, it also means that it’s a lot more stable. More at Softpedia I tend to agree with the founder of Canonical on this, boring is perfectly fine by me. Oh sure, it makes the job of distribution reviewers harder because they have less to talk about in a review. But it’s a good thing for users if it improves stability in the distribution. Let’s face it, folks. Not every release of a distribution can be or should be overflowing with cool, new features. Sometimes the stuff that goes on under the hood has to be the focus and we all benefit from that eventually. The FBI doesn’t like encryption that protects user privacy The nixCraft Linux Blog on Google+ had this comic that pretty much sums up the FBI’s attitude toward your privacy rights. According to nixCraft Linux Blog on Google+: The FBI/Gov wants to send the fundamental right to security to >/dev/null. Let us use T* card every time as the FBI can not handle the upgraded and enhanced encryption of iOS/Android smartphones. More at nixCraft Linux Blog on Google+ Image credit: CommitStrip In case you missed it, here are a few stories covering the FBI’s reaction to encryption being used by Apple and Google in their phones: The Guardian: Your iPhone is now encrypted. The FBI says it’ll help kidnappers. Who do you believe? PBS News Hour: Are encrypted smartphones too private for the FBI? The New American: Apple, Google Encryption Moves Enrage FBI Director Comey Washington Post: FBI blasts Apple, Google for locking police out of phones What’s your take on all this? Tell me in the comments below. The opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the views of ITworld. Software DevelopmentOpen Source