转：HSQLDB SupportWare

HSQLDB is Java developers' best choice for development, testing and deployment of database applications. The latest HSQLDB 1.8.0 is fast, powerful and reliable -- more so than ever.

We have maintained our leading position through continuous enhancements. As this work needs funding, we are introducing a new program, HSQLDB SupportWare.

HSQLDB SupportWare allows individual developers, corporations and organization to support the future maintenance and development of HSQLDB.

Participation in the program is by annual subscription.

SupportWare Subscription

Developer subscription - $100 or €80
Corporate subscription - internal use or less than 50 distributed units - $400 or €320
Premier Corporate subscription - large-scale use or distribution - from $1000 or €800
Sponsorship subscription - from $2000 or €1600

Developer subscription covers one developer (the subscription can be made in the name of a company). Corporate subscription covers all the developers that work with HSQLDB in the organization. The suggested amounts for Premier Corporate subscription are the minimum recommended amounts. If you consider that your use of HSQLDB warrants a larger contribution, please use your discretion. Sponsorship subscription allows an organization to sponsor specific new features or improvements. See the separate section at the end of this page.

How SupportWare works

At the beginning of each quarter we will assess the level of subscriptions and decide on the development plan for the next quarter. The more subscriptions and sponsorships, the more development.

The wishes of the SupportWare participants will be taken into account in the development effort. So long as the level of funding is adequate, we will develop what our users ask for. Subscriptions at Sponsorship level will allow specific features that are needed by sponsors to be developed and added to the software either as an integral feature or as an option.

It is in the interest of every developer and deployer that HSQLDB is actively maintained and improved. We have avoided licensing restrictions on the use and distribution of HSQLDB and would like to keep it this way.

We estimate that a full development plan can be followed with at least 100 new subscriptions of different levels each quarter. Hopefully, there will be more subscriptions and we can allocate additional human resources to accelerate development. Some of the features that are possible are listed on the Development page and more have been submitted as Feature Requests by Java developers.

The proceeds from subscriptions will fund development and support. The support element will be provided to Subscribers only. We will continue to provide free, voluntary support to Open Source developers only. We will also answer simple questions from new, unsubscribed users if we have spare time.

How to join

HSQLDB SupportWare needs a kickstart. Please subscribe to HSQLDB SupportWare now. We would like to plan for the developments in the next quarter (Jul-Sep) during the next two weeks. We need many subscriptions and sponsorships to cover a full-scale release cycle.

You can pay your annual subscription in either the US Dollar amount or the Euro amount, whichever is more convenient. There are two methods of payment:

• Pay direct by credit card or transfer via Jochen Merz Software's secure payment system:

Developer subscription	$100	€80
Corporate subscription	$400	€320
Premier Corporate subscription	$1000 $1500 $2000	€800 €1200 €1600

• Or send an email to fredt (at) users.sourceforge.net and ask for an invoice, stating the level of subscription. An invoice will be sent to you that allows you to pay direct by credit card or other methods.

Subscriptions are collected and allocated by the HSQLDB Project Maintainer, Fred Toussi. Your name and information is considered strictly confidential. If you wish, you can explicitly opt to include your name (developer or organization) in a list on this page, otherwise no reference to your name will be made.

Sponsorship Subscriptions

If your organization would benefit from the addition of a new feature or capability to HSQLDB, you can fund its partial or full development after discussion and agreement with Fred Toussi, the Project Maintainer. Some of the features that are possible are listed on the Development page, but we would like to know what you need. Please send an email to fredt (at) users.sourceforge.net

How was the Project funded until now

All development and maintenance prior to version 1.8.0 was done voluntarily. Since the beginning of 2005, sales of licenses for the HyperXtremeSQL product and professional support services, together with donations from OpenOffice.org users have partially funded the development effort. Full time development of 1.8.0 has been very effective, with major features such as SCHEMA support developed within a month. So if SupportWare is successful in funding the effort, HSQLDB will soon fulfil the remaining wishes of Java developers.