As an Inkscape user and subscriber to this list (not so much developer), my honest response: I would not like to see this. There must be other ways to make suggested donations more prominent, without throwing it up in users' faces? Such as put a tiny, or at most, small icon, in the Inkscape window, which links to the donation page, e.g.. Or maybe think about using fund-raising for new features, through KickStarter type of deal? I've seen other "freeware" doing that -- most recently, Tupi.
But if it does happen, my response to the 5 points:
-- Suggested amounts should start low enough not to offend "free software" users. (I'm thinking $5 or $10 (usd) for the low end) -- If there has to be "something in return", it should be tangible, not just an opportunity to spend more money (buy swag, i.e.). Although it never has made sense to me, to ask for donations, and give something in return....because the something in return is Inkscape....right? -- Does the donation page have to be on SF? -- Invitation to contribute other things.... why not, as long as you're putting donations in users' faces anyway? -- make the badge an option -- some donors (like philanthropists) like to be anonymous
Thanks :-)
-------------------------------------------------- From: "Martin Owens" <doctormo@...400...> Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2014 2:59 PM To: "Inkscape Devel List" inkscape-devel@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: [Inkscape-devel] Paying for Downloads
I've here at Free Software Day (Boston) and have just completed a panel on the economics of Free Software development. Something which came up and something I want to have a serious discussion about is the implementation of an opportunity to donate screen like libreOffice:
http://donate.libreoffice.org/home/dl/deb-x86_64/4.3.1/en-US/LibreOffice_4.3...
If one clicks on this link, it waits a few seconds and gives you the file. But as well as the file it also offers you an opportunity to donate/contribute to the project.
I'd like to implement this for inkscape.org but it would have to be blessed by the community since other developers are users may have valid concerns which should be taken into account with this format.
Things I'm thinking about:
- Making sure we have suggested amounts
- Offering something in return? Maybe offer an ability to buy swag?
- What is SFC's position on these kinds of pages?
- Have an invitation to contribute other things. Time, bug tracking etc?
- Give donators a badge on their website user?
I'm looking for any contribution to this discussion, good or bad. Please let me know what you think.
Best Regards, Martin Owens
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