It will be a BIG mistake if we make Processwire a commercial platform
No it won´t. Opensource with paid support and paid modules/forms/templates etc. works perfectly.
Providing paid professional support, modules, templates, etc. etc raises respect and attracts different clients.
Commerical modules for who?
Shops, pro seo, pro templates, billing systems, order tracking, renting, bookings, real estate, etc. etc.
It´s a big world out there.
Also check processwire jobs => https://processwire.com/talk/forum/22-jobs/
Let's take Linux, is the BEST operating system and is free, there is a small fee for support but that's all.
Ever seen the linux support from red hat, oracle, ibm, ubuntu etc. ?
And let's organize a Donation online event,
Donating doesn´t work, I will spare you the reason why.
We should thank Ryan and his coding team for releasing processwire with the level as it is today for free.
I would go for this:
Leave it for free for what it is today but:
a) paid future upgrades to the core
b) paid pro modules/forms/templates/etc.
c) paid support