Who are you? (biography/background)
Matt Glaman @mglaman
Mission/motivationÂ
My mission for joining the Drupal Association Board is to catalyze the growth and sustainability of the ecosystem by championing initiatives that empower open-source developers to build viable businesses, thereby ensuring Drupal's continued innovation and market relevance. A key, transformative driver for this is the successful implementation of a marketplace for Drupal site templates, as recently explored by Dries. This aligns perfectly with my long-held conviction that strong financial models for contributors are beneficial and essential for Drupal's future.
My motivation stems from a deep conviction that a robust financial model for contributors is critical for Drupal's future. This marketplace concept offers a powerful solution by:
- Generating sustainable revenue for open-source developers: This addresses the long-standing challenge of funding open-source work, providing a clear path for developers to be compensated for their valuable contributions.
- Attracting and retaining talent: When developers can build sustainable businesses around Drupal, the platform becomes a far more attractive choice for new and existing talent, fostering a vibrant and innovative community.
Qualifications/why
My 12 years of experience with Drupal, including six dedicated to Drupal Commerce and building a business directly funded by open-source development, gives me a unique perspective on the intersection of open source and commercial viability. I've personally experienced the challenges and opportunities in this space. Furthermore, my own exploration into solving open-source funding through gated releases, as documented on my blog, demonstrates my commitment to finding innovative solutions for the sustainability of our community.
I am eager to bring my practical experience and passionate advocacy for developer empowerment to the Drupal Association Board, working collaboratively to make the marketplace a reality and secure a prosperous future for Drupal.