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Would you like a little bit of guilt with that?

So, after a serious session of web browsing, I found myself at the CakePHP web site. I had just finished reading an article on it, and wanted to check it out. So I went to the downloads section and was a little startled at first when I was greeted with a page that appeared to have no "download" links, but telling me I should donate. After about 10 seconds of frantic searching I figured out one of the donate buttons up top was "No Thanks," so I clicked and managed to find my way to the download. Not, however, without first getting just a wee shot of guilt from the developers of CakePHP.

"Thanks anyway.

"We are sorry that you did not want to donate to help further the development of CakePHP

"Enjoy your download."

I can understand the developer would like to see some cash for his efforts, but I don't feel I should be guilted for downloading free software for free. Free software should be free in many senses, and I believe that includes free of guilt from using it. Some people may see this as silly, but it makes sense. I want to use my computer without feeling guilty. I don't use pirated software for this very reason. At least when I'm using linux, I know I gave Linus Torvalds exactly what he wanted from me; nothing.