Ubuntu Downloaders Will Be Asked for Donations

Canonical is continuing to seek out new ways to monetize its efforts with Ubuntu, and the latest idea is to prominently ask for donations. "Today, we’re making it easier for people to financially contribute to Ubuntu if they want to," writes Steve George, VP of Communications and Products, in a new blog post. "By introducing a ‘contribute’ screen as part of the desktop download process, people can choose to financially support different aspects of Canonical’s work: from gaming and apps, developing the desktop, phone and tablet, to co-ordination of upstreams or supporting Ubuntu flavors." This isn’t the only way that Canonical has sought to squeeze some profits out of Ubuntu recently.
While Ubuntu downloads will start to include ‘Contribute’ screens, George’s post makes very clear that donations are optional:
"It’s important to note that Ubuntu remains absolutely free, financial contribution remains optional and it is not required in order to download the software…Ubuntu will always be free to use, share and develop. We hope it will continue to give you everything you want in an operating system – and we hope that you’ll join us in helping

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