Abstract : This research paper explores the development and implementation of an open-source developer support tool aimed at providing financial and motivational support to open-source developers. By creating a platform where users can post questions with optional bounties, this project seeks to address the longstanding issue of uncompensated efforts within the open-source community, which has been a significant barrier to the sustainability and growth of many open-source projects. The platform leverages cutting-edge technologies such as Next.js, PostgreSQL, and Stripe to create a seamless and secure environment for both users and developers. Next.js is utilized for building the front-end and back-end of the application, providing server-side rendering and static site generation for improved performance and user experience. PostgreSQL serves as the robust and scalable database management system, ensuring data integrity and efficient query handling. Stripe is integrated for secure authentication and payment processing, enabling financial transactions between users and developers. The motivation behind this project stems from the recognition that open-source software is a critical component of modern technology infrastructure, yet the contributors often lack adequate financial and motivational support. This research delves deeply into the problem definition, outlining the specific challenges faced by open-source developers, including financial instability, lack of recognition, and limited feedback. The objectives of the project are clearly defined, aiming to create a sustainable support system that fosters community engagement and rewards contributors for their valuable work. This paper also details the software and hardware specifications required for the development and deployment of the platform, ensuring that the solution is both practical and scalable. Project planning is a crucial element of this research, with a comprehensive roadmap that includes requirement analysis, design, development, testing, and deployment phases. Each phase is meticulously planned to address potential challenges and ensure the successful implementation of the support tool. Finally, the future scope of the project is discussed, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation to meet the evolving needs of the open-source community. This includes potential enhancements such as advanced spam detection, enhanced user feedback mechanisms, and the integration of additional features to further support and motivate open-source contributors. By addressing these critical aspects, this research underscores the significance of supporting open-source contributors and highlights the potential of the proposed platform to make a meaningful impact on the sustainability and growth of open-source projects. IndexTerms – Open Source, Developer Support, Bounty System, Next.js, PostgreSQL, Stripe, Community Engagement.
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