Lately, I’ve been thinking about why certain open source projects miss their deadlines. Of course, there’s a number of reasons, including — but not limited to — bugs, project setbacks, etc. The open source community is (mostly) comprised of a dedicated, loyal, and passionate group of people. They’re eager to learn, grow, and prosper for the greater good of open source. Unfortunately, most of these developers aren’t compensated for their work (unless they’re employed by a company involved in the open source space), and most don’t expect it.

Given the rise of open source software, and how major companies such as IBM, Novell, and others are reaping major benefits, shouldn’t it be time now for the top open source developers to receive some form of compensation? Sure, recognition is great, but imagine the extra mile developers will go if they received some form of green? Now, this isn’t entirely about money, but it does motivate people, doesn’t it?

Imagine a “Cash Share” set up by the big players in open source, or within a project’s own community. This “share” would receive regular contributions, and on a given schedule, it’s “shared” amongst the community’s most prolific developers. Now, that might equate to a few shillings per quarter, or a bucket full of cash. It simply depends on the project, its developers, and its importance to the open source movement.

Keep in mind that I’m not, per se, advocating this “Cash Share” for open source developers, but merely promoting creative thought with regard to the movement, and keeping its developers happy. I believe such a share isn’t far out of reach, and perhaps something already exists which isn’t widely known? What I do know is that it’s a fair thought, as I’m sure many folks around the globe miss a few meals, time with family, vacations, etc., to realize their investment in a certain open source project.

On the other hand, these developers willingly contribute their time and resources, so maybe a share isn’t necessary, but certainly appreciated. If such a share were to be created, it would, without question — stir up the pot of good, and bad, but such is life afterall, right? Nothing is perfect, until perfected.

What are your thoughts?

From Wikipedia:

“Six degrees of separation is the hypothesis that anyone on Earth can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances with no more than five intermediaries.

The hypothesis was first proposed in 1929 by the Hungarian writer Karinthy Frigyes in a short story called Chains. The concept is based on the idea that the number of acquaintances grows exponentially with the number of links in the chain, and so only a small number of links is required for the set of acquaintances to become the whole human population.”

So, that’s the old adage of “six degrees” of separation, but what about “one or two degrees?” I’d like to explore just that with my own experiences:

1. R&B/Pop Music Star, Michael McDonald – Somehow, I was born with Michael’s music in my blood. I remember hearing The Doobie Brothers as a child, and I grew up wondering, “Whose voice is that?” Then, one day, I heard his name on the radio. I was hooked. In 1997, through boredom and recognizing a need, I started the first unofficial website in McDonald’s honor in the US.

Through the website, I would establish an unknown connection with McDonald via word of mouth, booking agents, concert planners, and even musicians in his own band! Then came a moment of a lifetime: My first Michael McDonald concert. It was September 12, 1998 (I’d just turned 18 two days prior), to be exact, in Detroit, Michigan. I was on cloud nine — literally. I was awestruck by the music, and couldn’t believe a moment of the experience.

Then, the concert came to a close. In the hopes of delivering a personal message to Michael for his inspiration and guidance over the years, I quietly navigated through the crowd to make my way to the stage. What a blessing! A woman in black approached the stage, and I said, “Do you work with Michael?” To my suprise, she did! I kindly asked, “Would you mind delivering this letter to Michael? Also, would it be possible to have him sign my CD cover?” She glady obliged!

So, as I waited patiently for her return, I prepared myself to leave the venue with my family to return home that evening. Well, not so fast! The lady returned, and said, “Michael knows who you are, and would like you to come back stage.” I cried — like a baby, and it wasn’t “teenie bopper” tears, but those of respect, appreciation, etc. Afterall, it was through his music that I dealt with death, disappointment, and everything in this thing called “life.”

Here’s one of the first pictures we took that night, all grins, of course:

Now, it’s been almost eight years since I’ve known Michael, and through him, I’ve met some wonderful people over the years: Tommy Sims, Jeff Bridges, Nathan East, The Doobie Brothers, the list goes on, and on. As for the “one degree of separation,” through Michael alone (via a “second degree” of separation): President Bill Clinton, Jay Leno, Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, Fourplay, The Judds, Vince Gill, … thousands of people, really. And, just think, it was all because of his music, some creativity, and a drive to create something you believed in.

2. Microsoft’s Bill Gates – When I upgraded to Windows 3.1, from DR-DOS 6.1, back in the early 1990s, I officially became a Microsoft addict — consuming everything Microsoft, beta testing software, etc. I soon started reading every book I could about Microsoft and Gates, and without realizing it, I became a self-professed “evangelist” on all things Microsoft. In 1995, I was invited to attend an engineering conference in Downtown Detroit. There, I met two Microsoft engineers — Stephen Clancy, and Sterling Tucker. Stephen was an Excel Test Engineer, and Sterling, an Exchange Engineer. Needless to say, I quickly befriended them.

Upon returning home that evening from the conference, I was still reeling from everything I learned about Microsoft. Not willing to waste another moment, I decided to e-mail Bill Gates directly about my experience that night (without Stephen or Sterling, I wouldn’t have known Bill’s alias). I introduced myself in the best way I knew how, telling him my age (I was 15 at the time), etc., and I gave many kudos to Stephen and Sterling for their excellent presentation and representation of Microsoft and its products.

Soonafter, word would get back to me (via Stephen and Sterling, and an expanding circle of friends at Microsoft), that my name was being tossed around the campus, and how Bill Gates was “impressed” by my intelligence, ambitions, etc. I would later correspond with Bill Gates on my birthday, and to my surprise, he replied, “Happy Birthday.” I nearly fellover in my chair! Although Bill and I never corresponded much directly, he was always kind enough to forward my inquiries to him to other people within Microsoft, and they always came through — with flying colors.

In 1999 (I was about 18 then), I was asked by a friend at Microsoft if I’d be interested in visiting the campus. What kind of question is that? Of course! So, there I went, for four wonderful days, with my own corporate apartment and car rental, all at Microsoft’s expense. I didn’t get a chance to meet Bill personally, but the experience of seeing the inner workings of Microsoft was, to say the least, amazing! It’s an experience I’ll never forget, and I’m grateful that I ever had the opportunity.

As for the “two degrees” of separation via Bill Gates: Where do I even begin?

Well, this concludes my entry on “One and Two Degrees” of separation in my own life. Of course, I could add more, but why bother? You get the point. I’m not sure how these chain of people will intersect in the future, but I’m glad for the experiences I’ve had to this point in my life.

I’ve published a new interview with Digg founder and chief architect, Kevin Rose. By far, it’s probably the best interview to date for the Interviews podcast. Click here to check it out.

I’d like to personally hear from users of “Digg” and “Slashdot” (both are popular citizen journalism sites) about the stories they “mine” most often on these sites. While I have some ideas, what’s better than hearing directly from the people? Let’s read it!

Why get “Digged” or “Slashdotted”?

Well, there are many reasons, but chief among them is the podcast I produce, Interviews. I’ll stop at nothing to spread the word about it (special thanks to Boulder County Business Report and Mac News World for covering it recently). There’s some great content for a large number of people to enjoy, so while I continue to cook up ideas on expanding the podcast’s audience, I figured I’d ask for some viable input — thanks in advance!

Goodbye Executive 1.0 (Microsoft, IBM, Sun, Motorola, etc.) … hello Executive 2.0 (Digium, YouTube, Digg, etc.)

“Executive 2.0″ — a term I’m officially coining with this blog entry — is an individual who represents the “next generation” of business. S/He is under 35 years of age, technology savvy, and an unconventional thinker and visionary. They’re not consumed by crisp shirts, ties, and suits. Instead, they wear t-shirts, ball caps, flip-flops, and the like. They don’t employ overpaid receptionists working at cherrywood desks. They don’t own the neatest of gadgets, cars, and other material possessions. They’re average joes (or joettes), some having never started a business before. Yet, one thing is constant: They’re eager to pour themselves into their passions, with any ounce of luck as a souvenir for what they’ve accomplished.

Executive 2.0 is like the Internet — unregulated, open, global, and revolutionary. Their skills are constantly refined in a separate, yet parallel and non-conforming world: their own. Most rely upon good instincts, natural gifts, intellect, and so on, to construct not only their own future, but that of others. The Internet is their closest ally and resource for all things business. They’re able to conduct business via instant messaging, chat rooms, e-mail, texting, VoIP, and other online communication tools and services.

Executive 2.0 comes in all different shapes, colors, and sizes. Some are rich, some poor (for now), some lazy, and some prolific — the term doesn’t discriminate, as Executive 2.0 can be found in the neighborhood, a basement, store — anywhere. You won’t find them hiding behind workspaces the size of a house, or filtering calls via their hand-picked drones. They’re live, and in color — always ready to interact and prosper with others.

To sum up Executive 2.0 — they’re everything Executive 1.0 isn’t. They are quickly changing the face of traditional business, ushering in major change today, and well into tomorrow. They’re not waiting for shareholder approval, executive signoffs, and the like. They are the future of business, and fortunately, we’re getting a taste of that future today.

We should also thank Executive 2.0 for Web 2.0, as they are largely responsible for this explosive upgrade to the Internet. Yet, it doesn’t stop just there. There’s still many 2.0 revisions due in business, transportation, commerce, and more.

Personally, I’m excited about the future of Executive 2.0, because our future is even brighter thanks to their ingenuity, capability, etc. The face of business will never be the same, and it’s too bad it took this long for such great change to happen.