Frithjof Engel wrote:
I think this will lead to worse software, because it shifts the focus from "writing good software" to "making money/win the game". There have been several studies in the past on this topic:
This is well-known study, but it has a week point.
They state, "Creativity and intrinsic interest diminish if task is done for gain" but actually the only things they can compare are * people doing open software for fun and entertainment; and * people who are employees and have to develop the uninteresting parts of software as part of their job.
The study does not take into account the possibility of "paid volunteers", because there have been few such systems in the past.
If someone wants to do uninteresting programming for money, they can get a better pay at a real job. A Bazaar-like system like the one I'm proposing is different: payment provides motivation to get involved, but developers would still be working on the things they personally find interesting. Hence, I believe, "creativity and intrinsic interest" will be preserved.
Timwi