[QuadrupleA]

I agree as a user. As a developer and businessperson though this sounds incredibly entitled - "make great software and give it to me instantly for free. I should get to keep using it and you should get nothing."

Shouldn't it be win/win? Both sides giving something to help each other? Software gets tricky I guess since it's fun to develop, and mere attention or praise is enough for many devs. And ads blur the line of "free". But the level of childish entitlement gets a little depressing sometimes.

[Joeri]

You need customers before you can make money. It makes sense to me that you first create a user base before you try to upsell them. If the goal is to create a user base, the fewer hurdles the better.

I don’t see it as having to do with entitlement, more as a case of it being easier to standout in a crowd of options when your thing is easier to start with.

[swayvil]

You are contributing to the good health of your society. Benefit is enjoyed by all members.

You are also advancing the art. Which is an objective good.

[QuadrupleA]

You could say that about doing free plumbing, free dentistry, etc.

[swayvil]

Yes you could. In the first case anyway.