and just like that ...
reality struck a blow.
What did they expect ? They flog this stuff as 'free' and then complain when you don't get paid. Like it or not the world does not work that way. Nobody will throw peeled grapes in your mouth out of the goodness of their heart. They may pay you if they need something only you can provide. If you offer it for free .. don't come crying.
The only concept that did work (to some extent) was shareware.