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Flattr 2.0 launches to the public

blog.flattr.net

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Re: Flattr 2.0 launches to the public

#141

Post by vog »

bonqis wrote: post #108
vog wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I never understood why they decided to coorperate with the AdBlock Plus creators. From a technology point of view, that might have been a gain for them. But does this outweigh the loss of the "trust in advance" that they would otherwise receive? Also, what's about the risk of being dragged into bad reputation? (Which might happen as soon as AdBlock Plus gets bad media coverage, once again.)

In reality it's the opposite and that is why we join their boat. There is no company that tries to fix the internet in the profound way eyeo does. They care about all the things most internet companies does not. The reputation they got are based on stories created by the ad industry, and yes, obviously they hate eyeo.

> There is no company that tries to fix the internet in the profound way eyeo does

Which issue is fixed by "acceptable ads" in a better way than a plain ad blocker that has no exceptions?

The former tries to "mediate" between ad providers and users, while the latter is an actual "user agent" in every sense of the word.

Maybe it is just me, but I don't see any shortage of the former. And I'm missing the latter one in many aspects of the internet. NoScript, uBlock origin and miniwebproxy[1] all are just first steps to fix issues which browsers (in the sense of real "user agents") shouldn't have in the first place.

[1] https://www.tedunangst.com/flak/post/miniwebproxy

> The reputation they got are based on stories created by the ad industry, and yes, obviously they hate eyeo

Not sure which stories you allude to. I'm not aware of any such stories, being placed by the ad industry or any other entity.

However, I am aware of much criticism that is based purely on their business model, by well-known people far away from the ad industry, without involvement of any additional stories.

> and yes, obviously they hate eyeo

Almost nobody feels sorry for the ad industry, but it is quite a far stretch to argue that we (i.e. the ad targets) should like Eyeo because they are the enemy of the enemy.

Maybe my perception is wrong, but all people I know don't care, because they just see different flavors of shady businesses that happen to step on each other's feet.

What's noble in being involved in that game?

Re: Flattr 2.0 launches to the public

#142

Post by vog »

bonqis wrote: post #123
gressquel wrote: post #67

install a software? i think im passing on this one. too much spyware floating around these days

There is nothing like that in our extension, feel free to check the code =)

Not now, but what about the 10th update?

In general, I don't think it works that way.

If you want people to install your code in a privileged position (such as a browser extension), you need to appear trustworthy.

You essentially ask your users for a credit of trust. And yes, being able to say "just read the code" is absolutely necessary, but it is not sufficient. You usually get trust by having a great track record in the past, or by cooperating with others who do have such a track record.

Re: Flattr 2.0 launches to the public

#143

Post by mintplant »

lsdornheim wrote: post #100
mintplant wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And they're explicitly tracking and logging it all to their servers: > With the Flattr button it was only possible to flattr creators that joined Flattr. The new extension does not use the button so it does not need to know if there is a signed up receiver or not for flattrs. So simply put, if there is an owner they gets your money, if not the flattrs become the statistics we need to convince the creators. Yikes. Don…

That is just plain wrong. Check the privacy policy: https://flattr.com/files/privacy_policy.pdf The extension keeps everything locally, only the information necessary to make payments is transferred. There is even a blacklist in place that prevents any information about sensitive sites (online banking, mail accounts, other adult content) from ever being stored. Here is a blogpost about it: https://blog.flattr.net/201…

Then how can they be collecting statistics about non-participating sites?

Re: Flattr 2.0 launches to the public

#145

Post by BlueTemplar »

bauerd wrote: post #132

I remember Flattr from a long time ago, when some German podcasters made a push for it. Thought it was a great idea at that time. If I remember correctly, it was a small square button with the number of tippers below it and upon click one's monthly spending balance would in part go to the creator. A few months ago I stumbled upon Flattr again (thought it was dead till that day). Couldn't log in with my old credential…

The Twitter ban has killed Flattr 1.0 : https://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/04/16/flattr-twitter-pay...

I don't understand how you can say that the product is more cumbersome. Another reason that Flattr 1.0 failed is because it was too cumbersome both for tippers (that had to click yet another "Like"-like button) and for website developers (that had to implement the "Flattr" buttons). And Flattr 1.0 already had fees, 11% IIRC. And then Patreon swooped in with their much simpler model (X$/month to a specific creator) and ate Flattr's lunch.

Now with Flattr 2.0 you just have a browser extension you have to install, and it's automatic after that! How much easier can it get!?

Re: Flattr 2.0 launches to the public

#146

Post by BlueTemplar »

johndoe489 wrote: post #93

I'd rather make few, but meaningful contributions to creators with a system like Patreon or Kickstarter, than make many "micro", meaningless payments without a clue where my money is going. This is failed from the get go. The whole idea that the program is going to determine where your attention goes, and how that relates to your contributions. Maybe I read a blog I contribute to, and it takes a lot of time, yet I do…

What would you rather have : ads or Flattr 2.0 micropayments? This is what it is about.

(Yes, I know, you can block ads, but adblockers, Patreon, and subscription efforts combined don't seem like they have put a significant dent in advertising revenues...)

Re: Flattr 2.0 launches to the public

#147

Post by BlueTemplar »

aptsurdist wrote: post #11

I was initially very excited to see this post. I have always believed that flattr's subscription/contribution model could be so important for supporting creatives and grassroots efforts. So I'm disappointed that it seems I can't signup and contribute without installing a browser plugin that can read and change all my browser data and browser history... nope. Flattr team, please fix that and I'll consider giving you a…

Might not be exactly what you had in mind, but you might want to check out Flixxo? https://torrentfreak.com/popcorn-time-creator-readies-bittor...
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