[Ardour-Users] Could this solve Ardour's financial headache?

[Patrick Shirkey]

rob wrote:
>
> I haven't thought this through, but...
>
> How about an Ardour internet-radio station?  Augment Ardour export 
> menu with export->Ardour-radio.
>
> Require that user is a subscriber (monthly, annual) to upload to the 
> station  (no fuss after 'proof' of subscription, works just like export).
>
> Rotate user uploads in an automated playlist, and offer for download 
> on the website.
That's a good idea. It could initially be tied into the LAM site but 
hosting space/bandwidth is a bit of a headache with this one. Still it 
could provide funded jobs for a couple of web programmers. Maybe it 
could be integrated with the iTunes store?

In fact why not set up a system to take on iTunes? It's a long term 
project but it might work.  For example we could partner with the 
"indamixx" team, other hardware manufacturers and distributions to 
provide a complete turnkey solution.

I have to wonder though, why is it that we expect users to contribute to 
the development process and the only way for them to do it is via the 
Ardour website which requires an internet connected computer but we 
don't want to have Ardour itself connect to the internet and are not 
interested in providing a fast and easy way for new users to get 
involved directly integrated into the interface?

Instead we have a cute little reminder after the user has spent hours of 
their life working with the tool suggesting that they should really 
think about contributing. It could be taken to mean "we want you to 
contribute but we don't really care because you have already done 
everything you wanted to apart from the last step".

It's also possible that we could have an overlay with price tags for 
every section that needs or has been flagged for attention. If the tag 
was clicked it would take the user directly to the mantis page so they 
could pledge or donate...

The main point I am getting at here is that we are able to build and 
automate these features. We could actually make funding Ardour an 
addictive process so that people will be unable to control themselves 
from parting with their cash. Thereby making it possible to employ 
multiple programmers, improve the software, provide a medium for artists 
and labels to promote themselves, and most importantly create a buzzing 
and productive community based around Ardour.



-- 
Patrick Shirkey
Boost Hardware Ltd.