DotNetNuke

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

sbwalker — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 09:33:59 GMT

Each level of the Benefactor Program has specific Subscriber benefits - please read the information at http://www.dotnetnuke.com/tabid/894/default.aspx for more information ( you will need to be logged in to view the benefit information )

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

IndianGuru — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 06:05:06 GMT

All of wish to payback to the Core & Community, in some or the other form. As an Module Developer, I would like DNN to start a rational Store for DNN Modules, with specific percentage sharing.

However, I would like to know, is there any specific benefit to the Subscriber, of this DotNetNuke Benefactor Program ?

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

smehaffie — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 05:18:30 GMT

On the QA side it helps by having the community members have the source code, so that when they report bugs they can tell us exactly where the error is. They can also try to fix the bug themselves and post the fix the same time the post the bug. This saves the core team time, becuase they do not have to fix every bug found on thier own. :-) :-) :-)

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

brian_c — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 20:52:08 GMT

Thanks! I will change my focus to the benefits.

(Although " we are thinking more about the benefits rather than the program structure itself. " should have cut the discussion of monthly subscriptions off before I got bit...)

Off to brainstorm benefits.. cya Monday..

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

adefwebserver — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 19:30:46 GMT

brian_c wrote:
adef.. do you need the source to develop a module? :)

Hmm you have a point you probably don't need the source code to develop a module. However, while I recommend that people not modify the Core code I always recommend that they LOOK at it for example of how to do things.

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

jbrinkman — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 19:19:52 GMT

Brian_c,
Changing to a subscription mode for the source code is a non-starter. Read Chapter 1 of the DotNetNuke book for a complete history of why this will NEVER happen again.

While we want feedback about how we can improve the program, we are thinking more about the benefits rather than the program structure itself. As Shaun and I have previously stated, a lot of thought and research went into developing the program structure. While we could not launch with all the possible benefits in place, we felt that the initial set of benefits more than justifies the various levels and their associated costs.

While people are free to discuss whatever they want in these forums, we would like to avoid wasting time discussing things that aren't going to change: ie. DotNetNuke is and always will be free. Both the executable and the source code. We are commited to meeting the ideals and goals expressed by the Open Source Initiative which is why you won't see us altering the license or charging for access to the code.

> I'm not saying change the license. just that CandyPress has that type
> of license. Keep the rebrandability.. which you can do without the
> source anyhow.
>
> adef.. do you need the source to develop a module? :) We are
> talking $99 .. for the source. You bring a lot back to DNN which is
> great.. so you get the source for free! Now, others who sell
> products and make money... why get the source for free?
>
> Here is where my confusion starts. DNN is not owned by MS but by PMI
> (I don't think you can use those initials by the way, it that is what
> S.W. called his company.).
>
> OK.. those are all the comments I have for now.
>

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

cniknet — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 19:13:48 GMT

DougV wrote:

With the start of the benefactor program the DotNetNuke site has changed. I don’t see all the links under resources anymore. I had a link there. It was to a free tutorial.

I do not believe this is due to the Benefactor Program but most likely as a result of an oversight during some module upgrades. I will look into the problem.

Just to clarify, the Benefactor Program imparts some tiered benefits to benefactors, but it does not take away any benefits from the Community at large.

Nik

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

brian_c — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 18:24:55 GMT

I'm not saying change the license. just that CandyPress has that type of license. Keep the rebrandability.. which you can do without the source anyhow.

adef.. do you need the source to develop a module? :) We are talking $99 .. for the source. You bring a lot back to DNN which is great.. so you get the source for free! Now, others who sell products and make money... why get the source for free?

Here is where my confusion starts. DNN is not owned by MS but by PMI (I don't think you can use those initials by the way, it that is what S.W. called his company.).

OK.. those are all the comments I have for now.

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

adefwebserver — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 18:19:14 GMT

brian_c wrote:
why not just charge $99 for the source starting with the next version?

I know you're just "throwing some ideas out there for discussion" but when I heard this one I went "ouch!" :) Currently I'm working on a tutorial for my GuestBook Module and it will probably take me weeks to finish. I am creating it because:

Microsoft has finally allowed the "small guy" to create real websites by making Visual Web Developer Express free.
DotNetNuke is free.

One of the "stake holders" has always been people learning ASP.NET. In order to support them the code must always remain free.

The Core has been consistent about supporting the "beginners". In the latest 4.0 version they implemented generics. they didn't have to do this and many people may not notice but it is really a big deal. In my tutorial I will highlight this as an example of how DotNetNuke remains a great example of proper coding.

I think the Benefactor Program, Module Certification, and Advertisements on Dotnetnuke.com should pull in enough money to take case of business. If it's not enough then actually selling the (certified) modules like Snowcovered does should do the job.

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

AnyUserNameWillDo — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 17:57:23 GMT

brian_c wrote:

Does open source imply free?

If not, why not just charge $99 for the source starting with the next version? If you don't need the source then you can have the release version for free.

10,000 source downloads (per year) x $99 (one time) = plenty for a few dedicated resources.

I think this is more feasible for this approach. Why? You are not trying to accomplish one development project and trying to raise some money. You are trying to create an ongoing team of dedicated resources (or part-time). I personally like the CandyPress approach. UI is free. Admin is $59. All code is included. However you cannot re-brand but you can modify.

Has this been thought about? I'm sure I am making this too simple.

That would breach the original licensing if you couldn't rebrand. For me, that has been a huge selling point that we *can* rebrand it as our own product and sell it as our own as long as we keep the original comments on the top.

I take advantage of that by developing my product on top of the platform but still being able to sell my own product without necessarily divulging its built on an open source platfrom.

Not everyone is as comfortable as most of us in staking some systems on OSI's. It doesn't matter what you say to these people about how stable or secure it is, they have formed their opinions and stick with that. This is the beauty of DNN, I keep that in my source code, as per the license agreement and sell it as I see fit. Changing that would certainly upset me.

Plus, I believe Shaun even said he never wanted to change the licensing as it risked upseting potentially hundreds of thousands of users.

-Chris

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

brian_c — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 17:45:34 GMT

Does open source imply free?

If not, why not just charge $99 for the source starting with the next version? If you don't need the source then you can have the release version for free.

10,000 source downloads (per year) x $99 (one time) = plenty for a few dedicated resources.

I think this is more feasible for this approach. Why? You are not trying to accomplish one development project and trying to raise some money. You are trying to create an ongoing team of dedicated resources (or part-time). I personally like the CandyPress approach. UI is free. Admin is $59. All code is included. However you cannot re-brand but you can modify.

Has this been thought about? I'm sure I am making this too simple.

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

RLyda — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:57:31 GMT

nbc wrote:
I can certainly back that up - I work for a company that is a major user of DNN, but because of (mainly) client confidentiality the dev team cannot discuss their work in these forums, make modules available etc....(I of course am active here in my 'hobbyist' role)...

Yep, that's me also...I offered Vincenq some updated templates a while back, but that's about all I can offer without getting into our business logic...

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

DougV — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 14:37:27 GMT

I am posting here a concern I have about the benefactor program.

Freely contributing to the common goal makes an open source project strong. I feel that service and giving is a part of me – I enjoy doing this however I am able via DotNetNuke forums and my Web site. And, just like my Web site, many others have contributed likewise. I have learned much from their sharing.

I feel these free sources provide the tools for insight, information and knowledge that powers the growth of all the Users.

With the start of the benefactor program the DotNetNuke site has changed. I don’t see all the links under resources anymore. I had a link there. It was to a free tutorial.

I am suggesting consideration for some “Free Help” links page on the DotNetNuke site (or whatever you may decree it should be called). Is this possible in this new scheme of things? Notice I said, “Free”. I don’t think money related ventures should be posted on that same page.

P.S. Please don’t read this thread as being my only thoughts about the benefactor program – I see good things from it also. The analogy to public Television is a good one!

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

nbc — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 11:00:03 GMT

I can certainly back that up - I work for a company that is a major user of DNN, but because of (mainly) client confidentiality the dev team cannot discuss their work in these forums, make modules available etc.

So alternate ways to participate in the DNN community are very important to companies like my employers. (I of course am active here in my 'hobbyist' role).

Happy New Year everyone!

Re: DotNetNuke Benefactor Program launched

sbwalker — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 09:03:39 GMT

There is only one comment which I can add over what Joe and Nik have already mentioned. The vocal members who participate in these Forums represent only a very small portion of the overall DotNetNuke community. Believe it or not, some of the most serious platform adopters, resource suppliers, and framework evangelists have never participated in these Forums. And this is a problem because it means we are neglecting a very large portion of our community. The Benefactor Program is intended to engage all DotNetNuke community members and solicit feedback on their specific needs.