ContextQMD
Back to Serial Studio

Earn a Pro License

doc/help/Earn-Pro-License.md

3.2.72.8 KB
Original Source

Earn a Pro License

If Serial Studio is useful to you but purchasing a Pro license is not an option, you can earn one by making meaningful contributions to the project. This keeps the tool improving while giving you full access in return.

Ways to Contribute

Make It Known

  • Write a post or tutorial about Serial Studio on a developer forum (Reddit, CSDN, Hackaday, etc.)
  • Create a demo video on YouTube, Bilibili, or similar platforms
  • Share on social media or community channels and provide proof of reach (engagement metrics, screenshots)

Help Extend Hardware Support

  • Send binary logs or protocol data for unsupported devices
  • Donate development hardware (boards, analyzers, adapters)

Improve the Tool

  • Translate the UI or documentation into other languages
  • Write or improve documentation, help pages, or code comments
  • Submit pull requests for bug fixes, new features, or platform support

What You Get

Based on your contribution, you will receive a Pro license key:

Contribution TypeLicense Duration
Forum post / tutorial / video6 months
Hardware donation12 months
Protocol log / sample data3-6 months
Translation / documentation6-12 months
Code contribution (merged PR)6-12 months

Contributions must be original, useful, and verifiable.

How to Submit

  1. Open a GitHub Discussion with the value-for-license tag.

    • Title: Request: Pro License via [Your Contribution Type]
    • Include a description of what you did (links, files, screenshots).
    • Provide the email address where the license key should be sent.

  2. Wait for review. The maintainer will respond within a few days.

  3. If approved, your license key will be issued directly.

Getting Started with Code Contributions

  1. Fork the repository on GitHub.
  2. Read the project guidelines and code style documentation in the repository.
  3. Pick an open issue or propose a new feature.
  4. Submit your pull request.
  5. Once merged, request your Pro license via GitHub Discussions.

Why This Program Exists

Serial Studio is built and maintained by a single developer. Contributions of any kind — visibility, hardware, translations, or code — directly support the project's long-term sustainability. If you cannot pay, contribute. Help spread the word.

If you already have an audience and would rather monetize referrals directly, see Become an Affiliate.

See Also