I want to make FOSS for a living. How?

**forrestcupp** · January 26th, 2013

Originally Posted by Paqman

Nope. Red Hat, Novell, Google, Intel, etc, etc. Lots of companies hire devs to work on open source software. Heck, even Microsoft had a bloke working on the Linux kernel to get their hypervisors supported in it.

True, but I'll bet the odds aren't good of getting a job with one of the few big companies who work with FOSS. And remember that most of Google isn't about FOSS. That's just a very small part of what makes up Google. I believe that for them, FOSS is just a means to an end.

That's not to say it's impossible to get a job with one of these companies. It's the talented people who have a lot of motivation that end up there. But the good thing is that if you develop a skill for programming FOSS, you can always use that skill set in a proprietary environment if FOSS just isn't going to make you a living.

**rectec794613** · January 26th, 2013

Wow! I just got up and I must say after reading all of this, thanks for all the replies, everyone. : ) I guess there is hope to be able to make a living doing this. Sorry if I can't respond to everyone individually. One idea I have now is to work for a company that at least makes some FOSS, like Google, and are aware of its benefits. I think making FOSS on the side is not a bad idea, as long as I have something to do professionally.

**andamaru** · January 27th, 2013

Personally, I would take a project submit some patches and offer paid support. For example take ogre and create a game engine out of it and charge for support.

If you can get some capital I would create an html5 and webgl engine and build a tool similar to adobe flash to create apps and games with it. The whole thing can be open source and you can sell support.

**forrestcupp** · January 27th, 2013

Originally Posted by andamaru

Personally, I would take a project submit some patches and offer paid support. For example take ogre and create a game engine out of it and charge for support.

Lol. Just don't document your code at all, and charge for the API documentation.

**llanitedave** · January 28th, 2013

Space-X uses Linux and C++ to develop and use software to design and manufacture its Falcon rockets.

Just one example among many. You may find it in surprising places.