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As Flux Singularity is approaching a point where I will be able to start beta testing, my mind has turned to the inevitable, “How do I make my money back?”

I would love to be able to simply release it as an open source project, providing it for free to anyone who wants to use it, but let’s be honest here.  I’ve put an uncountable number of hours into the design and development of this system over the last few years.  I’ve sacrificed time with my family.  Don’t get me wrong,  I enjoy working on the system and I really believe in the concept, but without trying being selfish, I want my dues.

Now I’m not a greedy person.  I’m not the sort of person that thinks “Alrighty, hard work done, now to sit back and watch the dollars roll in!”.

I want to find a new way of doing business.  A business model that is fairer. For Everyone.  Where the people involved get paid what they deserve and the end consumer DOES NOT pay for someone’s luxury car.  I’d like to be able to “share the wealth” (and the love) with those that deserve it.

One idea I’ve had was born from the concepts of Crowdfunding and an idea I had for Crowdfunding the production costs for an Independent film, so that by the time the movie is ready for release, everyone who should have been paid, has been, allowing the movie to be released for free. As in creative commons free.

Could the same concept be applied to software, albeit in a slightly modified format?

Let’s say I’m at a point where it’s time for me to start marketing my system:

The old way of doing things:

I would first look at my system, the time it has taken and build a business plan around a standard sales model.  This would allow me to calculate how many copies of the software I would need to sell to break even.  I would then use this information to draw up a business plan taking into account such things as overheads and all of the REALLY interesting stuff.  I would then need to present this plan to an investor (or a bank) to be able to get the money to allow me to market it.  Of course this investor would then want a cut of the profits (assuming I made some).  This way of doing things would force me into the Greedy way of doing business.  I’d be made to charge more for the software than I would feel comfortable with.  I’d quickly begin to lose control over the decision making for the project, as the investors put pressure on me so that THEY can benefit.

Alternatively, I could go down “Software as a Service” route.  Not release the system at all, instead setup a dedicated server, and rent the use of the system.

A new way?

All I want from this is to make back what I’ve put in.  After that point, I don’t see the need to keep charging for it.  Like I said.  I’m not greedy.

Is there such a thing as “reverse” Crowdfunding? Raising the finds for a project after it has been completed?  After the “crowd” can see a working version of what they are supporting?

Would people support a Crowdfunding campaign, whose goal is to free up a developer from the greed of Commercialism?

I REALLY don’t want to go down the standard business paths for Flux Singularity, but I DO want to be paid for what I have done.

If I didn’t need money for outrageous things like rent, utilities and food, I’d just release it for nothing straight up, but unfortunately, the world simply does not work that way…

Thoughts?? Please Comment…