>How to make a living creating apps for Linux, whether it be for the Desktop or the phones?

I want to phrase this with as much hostility as possible: Don't. Software cannot be owned or paid for and any attempt to normalize the opposite is cruel to anybody with a functioning brain. You cannot own a thought, or data, or bits or bytes, and much of the software you will no doubt use to create your premium software was made with this philosophy.

If you want to solicit donations that's very cool and there are people who will donate to you. But any attempt to abridge access to code without mandatory payment is not only ridiculous but purely unethical. (and no, I don't care how many HN points I lose by saying this)