(2003-08-29) Sippey Software Patronage

Michael Sippey raises the idea of Patronage as a software Business Model.

That might cover Mitch Kapor's underwriting of OSAF/Chandler.

Which raises an interesting question: if you're the rich guy, do you want to keep the results so you're the only one running that special app, or do you want to launch an Open Source project? I guess the developer would have to agree on the approach, and Open Sourcing might make it harder to sell similar commissions.

Hmm, or is maybe a little bit of customization something that makes it feel unique? So maybe there's a market in taking existing Open Source apps and customizing them, like doing car detailing?