I need a site or a list that gives dead projects. I want to possibly pick up a good project or idea.
I've been starting a company for a while but it's only started to take off since I turned 18. I want to make money coding and creating useful software for people while avoiding turning into a stingy proprietary software company(not that all proprietary software companies are bad). I'm getting serious about moving out some time soon so I need to build my business.
What I want to do is build software with my team(a few of my friends and co-workers) and so called, "exchange free software for a fee."
At the same time I want the code to be freely distributable. People can pass it along and, depending on the software or the plans I come up with, they can pay me for using it if they plan on making a profit from it.
All I want to know is, is it possible for me to "take over" or take on a dead project which sort of becomes my team's project? Where we can do what ever we want. Does it depend on the original project owner? Is it fair to donate or pay the original owner for any already made code etc?
I'm still really new to this. I'm learning Ruby, Fortran, Cobol, C++ etc... and I'm getting really serious about developing software. As of right now I develop web sites and web apps. I plan on creating desktop programs which are directed towards the web.
If anyone has some advice or a place to direct me toward thanks in advance.
