Why Lichess will always be free

Post by heroku » Fri, Apr 23, 2021, 6:55 AM UTC

curun1r wrote: post #33

DorianSinDeep wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While its good that you're willing to compromise in a reasonable manner, I don't think it has particular relevance to the point that advertisements in any form are most likely to be about something you won't go looking for yourself. There are even some companies with no advertisement spending because their product is so essentially useful that people will seek it out themselves.

I could see an argument that ads for specific, chess-related products like Chessable courses would be welcome on Lichess, perhaps even as an opt-in so users can choose to support the site. I know Chessable is constantly introducing new courses and I don't always remember to check regularly. A banner that tells me of a new course I'm interested in would solve that. For me, at least, but I doubt I'm the only one. I wis…

Post by ZephyrBlu » Fri, Apr 23, 2021, 6:56 AM UTC

de6u99er wrote: post #37

matsemann wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like the developer/founder should have a higher salary. $58k a year for running a site with millions of games per day.. deserves more. Is it because they don't get enough donations? Or saving the extra money for growth/buffer? (edit: originally posted this as a top level comment but felt it fit better here) Edit2: just checked. I've spent 11 whole days playing chess there (and not sure if that only counts game…

I recall an AMA on Reddit, where the founder said he is perfectly fune with his salary as long as LiChess stays free and he can continue doing what he loves.

Post by hinkley » Fri, Apr 23, 2021, 7:02 AM UTC

matkoniecz wrote: post #48

hinkley wrote: post #4

There are two interpretations of “why”. What is the motivation for it being free. What is the mechanism for it being free. In one of the links, > It amounts to $170 per month. Great news: I have a job (at prismic.io) and I can completely afford that. Lichess is my hobby, and all hobbies cost a bit of money. I can tell you that the joy of building lichess is absolutely worth the price I pay for it! Maybe it’s because…

> Or Microsoft could make you an offer you can’t refuse like they did with Minecraft. [citation needed] for Microsoft blackmailing Minecraft owner(s).

Post by cassepipe » Fri, Apr 23, 2021, 7:06 AM UTC

hinkley wrote: post #47

cassepipe wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lichess is a non-profit association in France. Microsoft can't just buy it. If they have no money no more, they'll launch a donation campaign and if it doesn't work, they'll just put the site down until they have enough, then it can remain free forever. If the association ever breaks down, the code is out there for anyone to "reprendre le flambeau" . Thanks to them, being able to play chess online is a common good. T…

> Lichess is a non-profit association in France. I don’t see any reference to this in the about pages. For this conversation in particular that seems like an important oversight if true. American nonprofits tend to list that stuff prominently. Maybe too prominently, but that’s a whole other kettle of fish.

Post by rgoulter » Fri, Apr 23, 2021, 7:10 AM UTC

matsemann wrote: post #36

Hammershaft wrote: post #29

I just wish Lichess had more accurate ratings

What do you mean by "accurate"? Compared to chess.com? FIDE? USCF? It really makes no sense comparing ratings between different pools. None of them are more accurate, they are just different.