I've got less time in open source scenario, really only 6-7 seven years in developer world really more time
Suggestions and reflection are always wellcome, we've been reading papers about other open source models and experiences that invites us to thinking about it. For example jboss or compiere. The compire case is really very interesting. Most are agree that contributes are between 0,1%-0,3%, I'm totally agree with it. Seems only depending in supporting services - payment - it's not a good idea, it should be something extra, that's why in version 5.0 our effors has been in direction of creating a stable API between versions in order to creation OpenKM extensions. The idea is partners, or anybody in community create their own extensions and sold it or offering free if they want. After several years comparing with other open source projects etc... I think a open source project must have at least two must meet two conditions:
1-Offering a complete basis enhancements ( I think from version 4.X we're offering ) that generates two interesting thinks: community installations that means no cost marketing for open source project and payment clients ( who knows the value of intellectual capital is the one that really engages, I think services like services are a life assurance ).
2-Partners, companies, community users must be able to must be able to make money that generates "network presence in Internet and IT specialist" open source application is considered under decision tables ( In version 4.x we acomplish wit 50% of it, till 5.0 I think we'll not be 100% ).
Actually I think we're on right direction, specially this year we're really happy, probably caused by version 4.x is more mature than older versions. I'm totally agree with you about marketing scenarios, promoting is something complicate, are well posicioned specially in Google. Forum has more than 4000 users and the newsletter ( I want to send last week, but it has not been possible ) has more than 2000, etc... numbers could be better, but are not totally bad.
At January we've decided some strategy an until December we'll not change it. One of the decisions was "symbolic documentation payment" like you can see in other open source projects. I'm agree with you that the major objective always must be enlarge the community users, make a strong community and at the end you make a strong open source product. Probably make some documentation under payment is contrary to the primary objective. But we'll maintaining at least until December. In other hand we've only closed few documentation, related with more "professional configuration environments", major users ( 90% ) do not need it.
One of the problems reading about other open source projects is that can not be compared a OS, CRM, CMS or DMS in same way. The number of potential users is not the same, the way how feels the relation between software and end users is not the same is we're talking about OS, CRM, DMS ... One of the problem in DMS in lower culture about how much important in consolidation under a repository the intelectual capital, for major SEO is clearly for example the relation between a CRM and the cash, but that relation is most ofuscate in DMS case. In major papers I've readed about it, seems every open source project can be compared directly with others ... and I think althought basis experiences are really interesting can not be applied directly.
For example us we'll adquired a Suger CRM licensing, because it's part of our culture - the way in how we feeling it -. In comparation it's more expensive than us ( I might not said it). But probably althought major companies that buys for CRM licenses need a DMS will be less reluctant to pay four or six times more without problems, althought when people has tried that kind of software - DMS - then can not survive without it. I think the key in DMS scenario is the lower culture of the benefits can obtaining using that kind of technologies. In consideration the market is very cool and last years people has been more interested in that technical solutions.
We're pleased to exchange experiences and opinions with you.