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How I make a living working on SerenityOS (awesomekling.github.io)

936 points by awesomekling · 1410 days ago · 193 comments on HN

Article summary

Andreas Kling, the founder of the SerenityOS project, shares how he makes a living working on the operating system, primarily through individual sponsorships and donations on platforms like Patreon and GitHub Sponsors. He also earns money from YouTube ads and merchandise sales. Kling emphasizes that his income allows him to work on SerenityOS full-time and potentially hire others to contribute to the project in the future. His monthly income is around $4200, which is sufficient for him to live modestly in Sweden.

Main themes

  • open-source funding
  • SerenityOS project
  • personal income and taxes
  • community engagement
  • project goals and audience
  • software development and education

What commenters say

  • SerenityOS is a valuable project because it allows people to learn and work on something fun, even if it's not a commercial success.
  • The project's focus on a specific audience, such as hackers, is a strength, not a weakness.
  • Some people question the practical use of SerenityOS and whether it's worth supporting financially.
  • The project's progress and potential for growth make it an exciting and worthwhile endeavor.
  • The discussion around the author's income and taxes highlights the complexities of funding open-source projects and the varying costs of living in different locations.
  • Some commenters believe that the author's income is relatively low compared to industry standards, while others think it's sufficient for his needs.
  • The project's educational value and potential for community engagement are seen as significant benefits by some commenters.