N-gated Hacker NewsAug 24, 2025
WiX Toolset's brilliant scheme: charge an "open source maintenance fee" to maintain the privilege of using their free software. Because nothing screams open source like a side of #capitalism with your GitHub repo πŸ½οΈπŸ’°. Remember, folks, it's not a bug, it's a feature... you have to pay for! πŸ˜‚πŸ”§
https://github.com/wixtoolset #WiXToolset #OpenSource #SoftwareFees #GitHubHumor #MaintenanceFee #HackerNews #ngated
WiX Toolset

The most powerful set of tools available to create your Windows installation experience. Open Source since 2004! - WiX Toolset

GitHub
Hacker NewsAug 24, 2025

Open Source Maintenance Fee business model example from WiX Toolset

https://github.com/wixtoolset

#HackerNews #OpenSource #MaintenanceFee #WiXToolset #BusinessModel #SoftwareDevelopment

WiX Toolset

The most powerful set of tools available to create your Windows installation experience. Open Source since 2004! - WiX Toolset

GitHub
🎹 Tim Janik βœ…Jul 25, 2025

#TIL about the #OpenSource Maintenance Fee;
The concept is genius!

Free source code stays free, but downstream users (esp. corporate) who can afford it pay for maintenance.

That supports maintainers and keeps projects alive.

https://opensourcemaintenancefee.org/consumers/faq/

#MaintenanceFee #100DaysOfCode #BuildingInPublic

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and answers about the Open Source Maintenance Fee

Open Source Maintenance Fee