I think the whole point of the post was that, as consumers, we should be giving something back to the forum we take for granted. If everyone who participated in a GB had $1.00 added to their order, it would make for a small, good faith donation back to the site.
It's all up to Matt3o on what
he wants to do with
his software. He would be completely within his rights to sell the software to other groupbuy leaders, or keep it exclusively as his own, so his groupbuys dominate in awesomeness. I don't know if Matt3o and samwisekoi are making any profit off this current groupbuy, but if they are making a profit I hope it's a decent one, because they deserve it. In fact, I hope they are making a profit. Why? Because when something is profitable,
you get more of it.If Matt3o wants to give his software away, that's his business, and he
should not feel pressured into doing so. He and every other successful groupbuy organizer has already done enough for the community; they don't deserve to be pressured into doing even more.
I would not mind donating $1 towards GH for my groupbuy order; but it should be stated up front that it's happening. Just keep everything transparent. Maybe make it a variable/option for the software to change the amount, and/or who gets the extra. Maybe have $2, and one dollar each goes to GH and DT, and any other participating forums. Or split the 'tithe' proportionally. That would incentivize participation from other forums, lowering prices for everyone.
The utility of his groupbuy setup made me look at how the other groupbuys managed their own, and it got me to thinking -- there should be some database listing all the keys and key sizes required for every board we can manage to find. Then you could plug the kind of board you have into the system, and it would spit out what pieces you would need to purchase for your board. So you plug in a Filco with a model number, and it tells you whether the groupbuy can outfit your board, and then shows you what you should (or could) purchase. No more puzzling over the components.
Anyway, great GB, great leadership from the organizers, all hail the glories of Capitalism!