[taprun]

Donation ware is a thing, but it rarely works well. Besides, hockey stick growth on a product that is free to obtain and use isn't a surefire means of proving future profitability. The easiest way to make money is the old fashioned way: charge for it.

[bluedino]

Or charge for support

[dchest]

Any examples of successful companies that charge for support for their own free product?

[fsloth]

Well, RedHat, sorta kinda, but not exactly what was meant here.

[tonyedgecombe]

But who wants to work in support?