[software] Call for evaluation of Donor.com

[Jim Brandt]

Bradley M. Kuhn wrote:

> 
> Donor.com should make a release under a FLOSS license *first*, then the
> steps you suggest can happen.  I have no interest in participating in a
> process of investing extremely limited time into testing, evaluating,
> receiving demos, and considering software that is not yet been released
> as FLOSS. 

There are two problems here we're trying to solve:

* get some functional software FOSS groups can use to easily and 
accurately handle accounting, donor management, etc.

* get a functioning donor management package open-sourced so any 
non-profit can do the same for minimal cost, if they have the technical 
expertise.

This offer handles the first, as even if they don't open source the 
software, donor is willing to offer hosting at trivial rates. This 
solves a problem for most groups without involving huge fees.

The second is a serious potential here and given the dearth of open 
source options, it seems we can invest some time and effort to get 
something out there rather than putting that effort into creating 
something new. The time and effort is in participating in a demo and 
educating some business people about open source licensing.

If it was a toss-up, you might go for the "sure thing" of writing our 
own, but it's not a toss-up since even if the licensing doesn't come 
through on the schedule proposed, we are still up on something that's 
already functioning and we can operate on that system with very low 
cost. That gives us all more time to do the other stuff our foundations 
need.

Jim


-- 
Jim Brandt
The Perl Foundation
email: cbrandt at perlfoundation.org