Well if cs-cart will not have any dealings with donations for modules we should get someone to do it that we can all trust. I suggest the following:
OurCS-Cart.com hosts a donations system.
How this works:
1. Startup 1.1. Requests: users can post a module (addon) / template request in the requests section of the site.
1.2. Developers: Module (addon) / template developers can post a module to the site and set a required donation mark for that module.
1.3. Developers: A developer can post a proposal for a module (addon) / template that they will create for a certain amount.
2. Processing 2.1. Created modules / templates
2.1.1. If a developer has already created a mod they can list that module that is to be released and made available for download once the set donation amount (set by developer) is reached.
2.1.2. If a developer wants to create a mod they can post the mod and the required amount of money they will do the mod for. They will also set a time span for how long it will take to make the module after the donation amount is reached. Once that amount is reached by donations the developer will begin creating the module. Once the developer is done the module is made available for download. If the developer does not finish the module by the set time all donations are refunded at that time.
2.1.3. If the developer can tell that the module will take more time than initially listed (hopefully this does not happen as I am sure the developer will give himself extra time that he knows he can meet terms on) he can put in a request for extension (which the users that have donated can accept or deny). If they accept than their donation stays if they deny the donation is refunded.
3. Download Area 3.1. All completed modules /templates are listed in a download area. Each module / template has its own built in site that shows the module / template, allow users to test it, and has a detailed explanation of the module.
4. Commerce 4.1. A developer can list their module / template for sale only to those who pay a certain amount for it instead of using the donation system. Each developer will get their own built in site so that users can browse modules / templates by developer as well as other ways.
4.2. I plan on having this site a community site like I said before. So that means non-profit. Of course donations will be accepted. Maybe the site will have its own meeter for requested donation for that month (requested / met amount) If this does not cover the overhead than we could set up the site so that of the donations submitted or the payments for mods a small percentage is taken out and used to cover costs.
5. The meeter. 5.1. All modules / templates will have a meeter attached to it. This meeter displays the target amount and how much has been donated so far, by who, and how much each user donated.
5.2. Example:
6. Terms of agreement.6.1. Each module / template will have a terms and agreement attached to it which is written by the developer so that users know what the terms are to the module. ie.. whether or not the module includes lifetime update, current release version update etc. etc.
Did I leave anything out?