[Android Stick & Console AMLogic based Computers] ssdist1:
Hey ricky, thanks for the awesome tool and effort you have put in to help out the community.

I for one, really appreciate all the work you have done - you have definitely helped me out and i am also wanting to donate to you.

This post is to help you, help everyone understand the intentions moving forward in relation to this tool.

I think if you were a little more open about what you are trying to do/accomplish it would make everyone such as above poster more comfortable.

Seeing a project change from open to closed source without much details is always a bad sight and things turn sour.

You have every right to make a profit for your hard work, and ongoing work - however it would be best to be more open about your goals.

People don't like closed source because there could be malicious code, or code may be tracking or capturing sensitive or private info/data.

What does that mean ? This is something people really don't want, if it means what i think it means. (no spyware please).

In regards to companies stealing/rebranding your software > we can always issue DMCA or similar take down notices to their hosting provider, aswell as publicly exposing them and their websites (name and shame) as scams to deter users going there or purchasing the tool (if it was being sold). Also, if it was being sold, we can directly issue complaints to their payment provider (such as paypal, or whoever it may be) - and they will always shut down their account. I dont think closing the source will assist in this matter - because it is still possible to decompile and rebrand the software, even if there is no source. (ie; if someone really wants to do it, i believe it is still very possible to do so). The source is only really required to make changes to the software (dev changes), but not required to rebrand the software.

As for being open source, its a good idea to help continue development and improvements to the code, aswell as keeping transparency of the program. Other devs may contribute to the code or assist in bugs/issues. Maybe the free version can be open source, whereas the donate version is closed source (specifically for adding licensing to avoid pirating of the donate version - but i still urge no 'spyware' bits of code to collect info).

Please explain more, do you mean that people who donate need to fill out a form ? If so, what information will you need to collect, and why? I understand that you want to know if manufacturers or box sellers are using the tool, however, why do you want to know ? If a manufacturer or box seller donates $50 or $100 , and then you find out they are a manufacturer, will you refuse the donate version, or ask for more money, or for a different payment arrangement for them to use the tool ? (its better to be open about this, in order to encourage donations and use of this tool - anyone can 'fill out the form' with lies, so thats not a good way of accomplishing your goal). It is also possible that manufacturers wouldn't want people knowing they are using this tool, as its not a good look. I believe anyhow, that any 'manufacturer' who uses this tool , is going to be a small time seller, and not a big manufacturer - as proper manufacturers will likely have access to software/dev-info directly from amlogic which is not available to the public.

How much do people need to donate to acquire the donate version? If someone donates $1, will they be refused the donate version? (its best to set an amount - and not call it 'donate version' , rather, 'commercial version' or 'paid version' ).

You want to avoid people that would want to bypass or cheat you - so you dont want to give them any reason to do that. I believe it's best to set reasonable and fair pricing, directed at your specific audience (ie; not ongoing monthly fees, even for commercial use) - because as mentioned, i dont think any big manufacturer will need this tool , it would only be small sellers, devs making custom firmware, etc. If they appreciate your work , further donations are always open.

Maybe 2 paid/commercial licensing versions to be available, for example;

1. Paid/Personal version: donate between $20 - $60 for unlimited personal use (lifetime license)

2. Paid/Commercial version: donate between $60 - $200 for unlimited commercial use (lifetime license)

while 'Paid/Commercial version' the software is exactly the same as 'Paid/Personal version' , this is the license for commercial use (maybe box sellers modifying firmware etc) - and this will be fair for all parties involved.