[kwlug-disc] Wordpress themes must be GPL

[Johnny Ferguson]

On 07/26/2010 09:24 AM, Raul Suarez wrote:
> --- On Mon, 7/26/10, unsolicited<unsolicited at swiz.ca>  wrote:
>> The question was: how does a (typical?) (GPL?) developer
>> create a continuous revenue stream rather than having to
>> continuously work?

 From what I gather the wordpress guy sells API keys to a spam filtering 
service called Askimet. He gives out free keys for personal use, but 
charges a monthly fee to the service for users who make certain amounts 
of money off their wordpress install monthly.

You might wonder why the larger users wouldn't just grab a free API key. 
The premium API keys get priority processing and other benefits. 
Basically by having the Askimet plugin send data to an external service, 
it's not considered a derivative work, and doesn't have to fall under 
the GPL. Even if it is GPL, anyone who wanted to make a quick buck off 
it would have to set up their own servers etc.

I'm naturally skeptical of how profitable such things would be as I 
equate blogging for money with selling viagra through e-mail blasts, but 
I guess some people think its worthwhile to invest in something like 
Askimet.

This idea of "software as a service" at least partially meets your 
criteria of not having to work. I hardly think maintaining servers that 
do a simple task counts as work. The upstart cost is in developing the 
framework and buying a couple servers. Once you have people on a monthly 
subscription you're sailing, but I wouldn't say it's guaranteed.

I'm wondering when the whole Web 2.0 bubble is going to pop (if it 
hasn't already).

>
> Winning the lottery?
>
> Your question makes very little sense to me. So I don't think I can provide a serious answer.
>
> Raul Suarez
>
> Technology consultant
> Software, Hardware and Practices
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> http://rarsa.blogspot.com/
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