Re: How long 'till Sarge->Stable?

[Hal Vaughan <hal@thresholddigital.com>]

On Wednesday 02 March 2005 01:16 pm, Paul E Condon wrote:
<snip>
>
> One of the great puzzles of open source to the larger World is "What
> motivates the people who do it?" Almost everyone out there seems to
> believe that if you offer money to people will do what you want. But
> even out there, people won't necessarily do what you want for
> money. They may, instead, do something that merely separates you from
> your money.

I just had someone contact my business to do some data mining.  I explained to 
him that someone who worked for the same company he did already had an 
exclusive agreement with me.  He responded by saying I shouldn't feel bound 
to that, and that he wouldn't tell anyone where his data came from.  He had a 
number of other reasons why we should basically break our agreement, behind 
an existing client's back, and give him what he wanted.  I pointed out, VERY 
politely, that if we did that, how would he know we didn't do the same to 
him?

We're not making tons of money -- I've taken great pains to grow the business 
slowly so we won't get swamped with irate clients while we're still debugging 
new features and so we can still focus on adding some needed support services 
instead of just getting more clients (whom we could not handle well until we 
get the support services in place).  

He didn't seem to understand why more money wouldn't just buy what he wanted.  
I didn't go so far as to explain that now I have income and a business, but 
it is possible there may be a day when I don't, but as long as I have 
integrity, I can start another business because those I worked with before 
will willingly work with me again and will eagerly give me recommendations if 
needed.

It also makes a big difference because now I can sleep at night and don't hide 
from the face in the mirror.  If I did what he wanted, I'd have to start 
watching everything I say to make sure I remember what lies I've told to 
which people.  I could not do that and live with myself.

Hal

> --
> Paul E Condon
> pecondon@mesanetworks.net