Why are you an open source developer?

[matt_man22]

Hi all,

I am doing a research paper into open source and it would be a great help to know why developers do programming for open source software. This following would be useful:

1. Are you an active developer, why?
2. Do you have a full-time job besides open source programming
3. Do you enjoy being an open source developer?

Thanks, I appreciate any responses I can get.

[hhhhhx]

well, i am not a developer, but i know something that may help you. theres a movie about dev/linux/FOSS/etc.. that jumps all around that subject. it is called revolution OS. it should be available someware on the net. but if you cant find it PM me and i will upload it someware for you :)

[matt_man22]

Thanks, that is helpful. Any developers around to comment?

[p_quarles]

There are a handful of Ubuntu developers who hang out in this forum, but the vast majority of us are simply users.

From what I have observed, many open source developers participate because they enjoy programming and have an interest in improving large, collaborative projects. Some, but not all, join open source projects out of a political belief in software freedom. Many others are paid for their work, though this obviously does not preclude an interest in programming nor a belief in software freedom.

The F/LOSS development community is huge, so the answers to your questions are going to be inclusive of virtually all imaginable answers, I think.

[aysiu]

1. Are you an active developer, why?
2. Do you have a full-time job besides open source programming
3. Do you enjoy it? I'm not a developer of any software--open source or closed source.

[red_Marvin]

1) I know how to program in a few languages, but what I do is mostly for, my own needs, however I would not have a problem sharing my code, so others may benefit, for free - so I guess that is a yes -ish: I have the spirit but not the skills and I am not professional
2) I am a student.
3) Which one? Yes to both anyway.

[matt_man22]

I meant enjoy coding open source. I'll clarify it in my first post. Thanks for the response though.