A new funding model for open source software
1–10 of 184 posts
Re: A new funding model for open source software
#2OP here. I'd love to see something like this exist. Let me know if it does already, or if someone is trying, and I'll link it below.
EDIT: This model is used by Flattr [0]. Unfortunately Flattr isn't targeted at open-source software; an OSS-specific approach (ideally implemented by a highly visible, established player) is (probably) necessary for something like this to reach its potential.
Re: A new funding model for open source software
#3OP here. I'd love to see something like this exist. Let me know if it does already, or if someone is trying, and I'll link it below. EDIT: This model is used by Flattr [0]. Unfortunately Flattr isn't targeted at open-source software; an OSS-specific approach (ideally implemented by a highly visible, established player) is (probably) necessary for something like this to reach its potential. [0] https://flattr.com/
Have a look at https://coss.media and Sid of GitLab interview with Joe Jacks
Re: A new funding model for open source software
#4> Existing open source funding models don't work for small projects.
Is this true? It seems to me that open source small projects flourish and continue to grow [0]. Although, oddly, I can’t find a simple chart of python or npm packages added over time, I expect it is.
Since the article is based on a seemingly false premise, it’s hard to consider the rest of the article.
Re: A new funding model for open source software
#5> Existing open source funding models don't work for small projects. Is this true? It seems to me that open source small projects flourish and continue to grow [0]. Although, oddly, I can’t find a simple chart of python or npm packages added over time, I expect it is. Since the article is based on a seemingly false premise, it’s hard to consider the rest of the article. [0] https://octoverse.github.com/
That page argues (convincingly!) that open source is growing faster and faster in terms of contributors, projects, commits, etc. This is definitely the case, despite the fact that the funding problem is unsolved. But who knows how much faster OSS would be growing if it was solved?
Re: A new funding model for open source software
#6It could work for a select group. The reason why other donation models are successful is because they offer something (insider access/game earlier) that makes you feel special without the badge.
Re: A new funding model for open source software
#7> Existing open source funding models don't work for small projects. Is this true? It seems to me that open source small projects flourish and continue to grow [0]. Although, oddly, I can’t find a simple chart of python or npm packages added over time, I expect it is. Since the article is based on a seemingly false premise, it’s hard to consider the rest of the article. [0] https://octoverse.github.com/
Everyone speaks their own idiolect, and it appears you have used your idiolect to interpret “Existing open source funding models don't work for small projects.” I suggest putting more effort into guessing what the author might mean before writing off the article with snark. After reading the article, I think it’s clear the author was referring to small projects being able to receive funds.
Re: A new funding model for open source software
#8It could work for a select group. The reason why other donation models are successful is because they offer something (insider access/game earlier) that makes you feel special without the badge.
This is something else I've been thinking about! Caleb Porzio's post from last month describes a Patreon-style
"insider access" service built on top of GitHub Sponsors. I think it's a phenomenal idea. Ideally GitHub would also implement something like that "natively" as part of the Sponsors program.
Re: A new funding model for open source software
#9> Existing open source funding models don't work for small projects. Is this true? It seems to me that open source small projects flourish and continue to grow [0]. Although, oddly, I can’t find a simple chart of python or npm packages added over time, I expect it is. Since the article is based on a seemingly false premise, it’s hard to consider the rest of the article. [0] https://octoverse.github.com/
That page argues (convincingly!) that open source is growing faster and faster in terms of contributors, projects, commits, etc. This is definitely the case, despite the fact that the funding problem is unsolved. But who knows how much faster OSS would be growing if it was solved?
Want a new idea?
Sell direction of the project. Offer roadmap milestones. Sell priority over features maybe even bug features.
Sell hats/logos/branded hosting environments.
Sell access to internal conversation. Sell invites to internal product Zoom meetings. Sell access to private jira boards/trello cards.
Re: A new funding model for open source software
#10> Existing open source funding models don't work for small projects. Is this true? It seems to me that open source small projects flourish and continue to grow [0]. Although, oddly, I can’t find a simple chart of python or npm packages added over time, I expect it is. Since the article is based on a seemingly false premise, it’s hard to consider the rest of the article. [0] https://octoverse.github.com/
Everyone speaks their own idiolect, and it appears you have used your idiolect to interpret “Existing open source funding models don't work for small projects.” I suggest putting more effort into guessing what the author might mean before writing off the article with snark. After reading the article, I think it’s clear the author was referring to small projects being able to receive funds.
You also have to factor in the opening-line hyperbole phenomenon!