ClearFoundation

Hi,

I love open source (as I do the support that Tim gives on this forum! ): I jumped on the ClearOS wagon because it was 'feature complete' (for my needs) and because of the active community.

The best thing about Open Source is not only that it is free, but that knowledge is selflessly shared which in turn triggers selflessly sharing. For that reason i draw the line when it comes to paying, even as little as 10,-, because at that moment the 'selflessly' part is dying....

Another good thing about Open Source is the freedom to join or leave and to contribute or not: so if you don't like it, step up and make your point, if you don't like the decisions, do it yourself or leave to join another community...

One big thing missing (for me personally) currently in ClearOS is the lack of basic email functionality on top of which a good email solution can be built: because I do not have the skills to develop and package one myself (If I could then I would most definitely go with the new and improved SOGo 2.0: because it reuses the infrastructure that is already in place, has no licensing limitations, etc.) I am investigating other possibilities amongst which is also looking at different solutions... and that doesn't feel good

just my two cents.... will wait on how this will turn out.

regards,
Ruud.

Thank You and I will pay the $10 with out a problem!!! Great Job love ClearOS...

Feel like I ought to chip in here...

Firstly my motivation to develop and help users has never been money, and the team have very kindly offered this as a 'thank you'. This is a step forward (think future developers and cool apps in the market place) for people to contribute to ClearOS. By providing some financial incentive for the substantial effort it takes, it motivates other developers to also contribute which is ultimately better for ClearOS and users.

Secondly I also understand that the mail server is part of the 'core' ClearOS functionality, and that charging for it seems like a 'feature reduction' or change in the ClearFoundation ethos (regardless of the price)- and because of that I think Pete / Daves suggestion of a Cyrus IMAP solution is a good one. The Market Place should be about choice...

Moving forward if we as a community want the Market Place to thrive will need to consider how we support user contributions (not just mine). The concept that Open Source software should always be free (as in money) is a wrong one. When you buy it you actually own it to hack, pull apart, use however you wish etc. I'm not going to argue the pros/cons of the open source model but there's plenty on the net...

If we want ClearOS to have a vibrant selection of turnkey apps that can be used out of the box, rather than a bunch of hacks / howto's then it needs provide some incentive. For example I have supported the Zarafa app in 5.2 for the last two and a half years, across two threads totalling 160000 views and 1200 posts... that takes time, and I sure hope others don't get put off. Given enough time I could probably write one for SOGo...but would you pay for it?

And yes Ben did pay for the beer thanks!

First in my opinion the core features of ClearOS community should be free also a mail solution!

I think the marketplace is good thing for ClearOS and if we want make this a success we need to pay developers. Also when developers get payed it attracts them. Example the App store of Apple. There are really great apps in this store better as Google play. BUT the price must be acceptable! Also free updates!

I think the price Tim is asking for his Zarafra package is reasonable in this part of the world. If i going to use Zarafa i'm willing to pay this. The only thing i don't like of Zarafa is the limitations. You have to pay again for a license for more users but that is something else.

Tim i'm hoping for more apps. I'm a bit jealous all the cool things you make. I think what you are doing for this community is really great and i think everyone agree on this.

Hi Marcel,

Just to be clear in case there is confusion...the only limitation in Zarafa Community Edition wrt users is when you are using the native Outlook/Exchange protocol (MAPI) to connect.

If you use the Zarafa webmail UI, or a mail client such as Thunderbird, Mac's Mail or even Outlook via standard messaging protocols (IMAP or POP), there is no limit.

Ben

I'm a bit jealous all the cool things you make.

FYI - although Tim fits into the categories of both developer and community forum support (he's just special ), there's no reason a developer's time is any more important than yours Marcel...someone who supports users here on the forum, writes documentation (any volunteers? -- developers are hopeless at writing docs!), does social media stuff (Andi Micro, I'm looking at you) etc. We'd love to come up with methods of reward or compensation and we (the guys that make up ClearCenter) have already discussed ways in which it could be done...Right now, its resources that are preventing something from materializing. All in due time...all in due time.

B.

Ben Chambers wrote:
Hi Marcel,

Just to be clear in case there is confusion...the only limitation in Zarafa Community Edition wrt users is when you are using the native Outlook/Exchange protocol (MAPI) to connect.

If you use the Zarafa webmail UI, or a mail client such as Thunderbird, Mac's Mail or even Outlook via standard messaging protocols (IMAP or POP), there is no limit.

Ben

Thanks for pointing this out Ben. Your reply is clarifying my misunderstandment! Then maybe i have to try Zarafa. @Tim I need a lot of support when setting up mail never did this before is this included Just joking

Ben Chambers wrote:
I'm a bit jealous all the cool things you make.

FYI - although Tim fits into the categories of both developer and community forum support (he's just special ), there's no reason a developer's time is any more important than yours Marcel...someone who supports users here on the forum, writes documentation (any volunteers? -- developers are hopeless at writing docs!), does social media stuff (Andi Micro, I'm looking at you) etc. We'd love to come up with methods of reward or compensation and we (the guys that make up ClearCenter) have already discussed ways in which it could be done...Right now, its resources that are preventing something from materializing. All in due time...all in due time.

B.

Ben Thank you for your kind words

I think the price Tim is asking for his Zarafra package is reasonable in this part of the world
Just to clarify - the price has been set by the ClearCenter team on this one ... and I totally agree it needs to be acceptable. No use paying $50 for an app that just prints "hello world". I think the value for money comes in the time saved, in theory you could install the software and configure it all manually. The resources are all there...but if there was a small app which did it for you and saved you a couple hours for a few $
Tim i'm hoping for more apps.
Yup! they're in the pipeline I enjoy making them too and that's where the real buzz comes for me. Regarding the mail server I'm always happy to help if I can regardless of what your're trying to setup. The ClearOS community is great at providing technical support, and i'm proud to be part of it.
he's just special
I'll take that as a compliment :-P

I'm curious to see this running, but I don't seem to have access to the Marketplace on my system/portal account. Is there something I'm missing? Using Enterprise 5.2 on a clearbox..