Clearly r.tec does not know or understand the distinction between open source software development and closed source freeware/shareware development.
Case in point: Red Hat, Inc. is a multinational software company that has built its whole business model on top of open source software. They had $1.5 billion revenue in 2014 yet everything they do (that I know of) is open source. They are the people behind Fedora, one of the oldest GNU/Linux distribution. They contribute to I don't know how many open source software.
They are the proof that making money from open source while contributing to it works.
Developer funding
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Be nice to others! Read the FreeCAD code of conduct!
Re: Developer funding
..okay, I really didn't know...
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Re: Developer funding
Regarding merchandise, I wouldn't put a lot of hope into that.
Exhibit A: Audacity, well-known free/libre multitrack audio editor. Closed its online merchandise shop some 5 or 6 years ago, because it made pretty much no profits, even though the project had tens, if not hundreds of thousands users around the world even back then.
Exhibit B: Blender, well-known free/libre 3D modeling/animation/vfx/etc. software. Makes a dime or two on merchandise. Revenue is mostly generated by selling DVDs with educational content and books.
Just some insight for your information and, possibly, entertainment
Exhibit A: Audacity, well-known free/libre multitrack audio editor. Closed its online merchandise shop some 5 or 6 years ago, because it made pretty much no profits, even though the project had tens, if not hundreds of thousands users around the world even back then.
Exhibit B: Blender, well-known free/libre 3D modeling/animation/vfx/etc. software. Makes a dime or two on merchandise. Revenue is mostly generated by selling DVDs with educational content and books.
Just some insight for your information and, possibly, entertainment