Mozilla gives add-on developers a tip jar
Mozilla has introduced a new pilot program for Firefox developers to make a little money off add-ons they've created. Developers now have the option to place a "contribution" button on their add-on page, which lets users donate any amount they wish via PayPal.
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Contributions are optional, meaning users can continue to download and use add-ons without having to pay anything. Mozilla is also letting developers pick their own suggested price, although users can choose to pay whatever they wish.
For the pilot program, add-on creators get the entire amount of the contribution, minus PayPal's transaction fee. However, in the future that could change with Mozilla taking a small cut. Mozilla is also encouraging developers to set up special PayPal accounts for contributions under $12, since PayPal's fees are less if set up for micropayments.
Mozilla is running the pilot with a limited number of developers, and will likely open it up to all if it's a success. It's definitely a smart way to attract add-on developers to host their creations on Mozilla's site, since there's now a simpler way for them to get paid. However, it will be interesting to see if users are willing to part with their money when they don't really have to.
How much would you be willing to pay a developer for their add-on? Vote in the poll to the right.
Update: Here's an example of what it looks like live as seen on the Download Statusbar extension:
(Credit:
CNET)
Josh Lowensohn writes for Webware.com, CNET's blog about Web applications and services. E-mail Josh, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Josh. 
That being said I realize that if the developers don't get anything for their work at some point they will stop developing the add-on and given enough new versions of Firefox it will break. Honestly, for all of the talk I remember far more add-ons 4-5 years ago than I do now, but a lot of developers stopped development because it took away too much time from their real jobs or their personal lives or maybe a combination of the two. Hobbies that don't pay inevitably get put on the backburner at some point. You might get back to it and you might not.
There are a handful of add-ons I feel useful that I might give a $1 or $2 although I am interested in what the fees are for these "special" Paypal accounts since a normal paypal account can face some stiff fees for small transactions.
I do not like the "Suggested Donation", you might as well be putting a price on the product and would probably shy away from 'tipping' someone who put a suggested amount on their product.
Most people will probably do very small amounts because the lifetime of these 'products' is extremely limited and your 'purchase' provides no guarantee of updates or support.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2585/beware-google-reader-notifier-for-firefox-is-now-crapware/
That's a silly question. It's like asking "how much would you be willing to pay for a software program?". Maybe 2 cents, maybe $1000, maybe nothing. It depends on how useful it is. You could ask "how much would you be willing to pay for the most useful addon that you use?"
Then you have the problem of setting up an acct to pay or make donations...If it was easier people would donate easier to the more established add-ons...
the other addons... not really...
- by aaasolanki July 18, 2009 12:56 AM PDT
- ---Nice idea. Developers could also offer paid & free versions for their add-ons, the former offering a lot more customization and features than the latter. That's exactly what one of my favorite extensions named Fireshot does.
- Reply to this comment
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(21 Comments)---Yes, there is certainly a conflict between the Open Source/GNU Licensing nature of Firefox, its add-ons and the thought of people making money out of it. That's left to the 'fine print' makers. [:)] But yes, I certainly agree that developers need to be rewarded/paid for the time and effort that they spend developing and maintaining their add-ons.
Thanks,
Abhishek.