Re: [gentoo-project] Rekindling Gentoo News -> Paying for news

["William L. Thomson Jr." <wlt-ml@o-sinc.com>]

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I was trying not to chime in, but I figured I will toss it out there. Its in -
nfp archives I think.

When I was a Trustee, I had ideas of Gentoo paying, very small amounts, for 
people to work on a monthly/weekly newsletter. This was something VERY 
beneficial to developers and the community. But the high quality that was 
produced in the past with the GWN, required considerable time. I felt it was 
allot for a volunteer, but since it served such benefit. Why not pay to help 
ensure it continues.

At the time it was misconstrued into wanting to pay myself. Despite one of my 
first acts in reviewing Draft By Laws publicly on -nfp list, was to remove any 
provisions that allowed Trustees to pay themselves. That seemed very wrong, 
Trustees decide if they can pay themselves.... I never had plans to pay 
myself. Sadly some who harrassed me on such topic where exactly the ones I 
wanted to see getting paid... Who later in devrel took part on banning me etc. 
Amazing how trying to help others went so south.... :(

I think the concept is still sound. Linode used to offer a $100 for 
documentation. That was so well received, they had to stop the program due to 
the backlog. I would not suggest it for documentation etc. But a newsletter, 
why not.

If people are spending hours putting together a weekly or monthly news letter 
simply to inform others. Why not pay them a little  for their time? It will 
hopefully ensure people are always there to do that. Could help out students 
and others.

The Developer Spotlight was good to help introduce people in the project to 
each other. You may never work with someone but when they are in the spotlight 
you gain a bit of insight you may never have had otherwise. Helps everyone get 
to know each other. Not just the technical things going on in the project.

That is up to the community and Trustees.

-- 
William L. Thomson Jr.

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