Ubuntu officially adds option to financially contribute to Ubuntu

Weeks ago, Ubuntu introduced Amazon-based search results in Ubuntu 12.10's Dash, approach aimed at (along with its shopping utility) bringing extra financial contributions towards Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, company that is pushing millions and millions of dollars into Ubuntu, operating system enjoyed for free by millions and millions of users across the world.

Related to Amazon, various users have expressed concerns about Ubuntu's approach of adopting a financial gains-based approach, while (from various users' point-of-view) neglecting Linux values, such as freedom (with its multiple connotations).

Shortly, the developers landed a clickable manner of switching ON/OFF online results in the Dash (Amazon's included), yet, the need for financial support/gain (critical for a relatively massive company like Canonical) remains.

Ubuntu gains money from numerous companies, hardware manufacturers, enterprise-targeted software and support, etc, as well as from Ubuntu One Music Store and Ubuntu Software Center, nevertheless, it seems that a more solid reliable financial source is definitely needed or at least welcomed.

Consequently, "today, we’re making it easier for people to financially contribute to Ubuntu if they want to", meaning, Ubuntu has just added an easy-to-use manner of financially supporting Ubuntu/Canonical.

The contribute-to-Ubuntu area is located under the Ubuntu ISO download page, navigating to www.ubuntu.com and choosing to download an Ubuntu image, a screen labeled as Pay What you think it's worth will appear, allowing users to select an amount of money and execute the Pay with PayPal action.

A definitely interesting aspect of the mentioned action is its categorization of to-contribute-to Ubuntu areas, meaning, the user can contribute to different portions of Ubuntu, such as Make the desktop more amazing, Tip to Canonical, Community participation in Ubuntu development, etc.

In order to modify the amount of money, click & drag the monochrome circles.

The contribution-related webpage can be directly accessed on http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/questions?destination=desktop&distro=desktop&release=lts&bits=32

"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 to build the future of computing, however you choose to contribute".