When utilizing the "support Lemmy" drop-down menu of a specific instance, it directs users to the Lemmy project home page (https://join-lemmy.org). Is this considered to “cover all the bases” where support is needed?
I'm curious to hear from longstanding Lemmy users and admins if they have any input.
In the event that Lemmy attracts a significant number of users, I want to identify individuals or instances that may require assistance but lack a clear avenue for financial support.
For example, I have no doubt, third-party app developers may offer tip jars or subscriptions, alternative means of support. But there may be some contributors who could use support to carry the load of all of us users.
Thanks for your thoughts.
I wonder if the third party devs might end up running their own instances for their respective users. It might make sense.
The host of my instance fired up a patreon, but for now he's also made it clear its guaranteed that sopuli will stay up, even with zero support.
That's noble, but what if it grows beyond the admin's capability to pay the hosting costs?
He could just... not let it? He can stop accepting new users, for one, hes manually accepting each sign-up. And presumably he'd change his tune if he legit could not afford, or no longer wanted to front, the costs. Unlike other instances sopuli is still tiny. and while it has grown, it's nowhere near to extent of other instances.
There is a rub though: even if it is a tiny instance, if the user base subscribes to other communities on other instances, traffic increase quit a lot. It's small enough with 200k users but it could become an issue if growth is steady. It wouldn't be long until "home" internet connections just won't work reliably enough for admins.
Its on a Hetzner VPS in Helsinki costing 12 bucks a month.
All good. Could be on a Wagner APC in Rostov-on-Don costing 12 rubles a second.
I would most likely do it like the host of your instance too. My experience in nonprofit over the last 15 years is that if you give people a clear path to give to something that provides value for them and a community, you just need a clear path to support. The costs you’ll incur doing something you believe in are accepted, and money received is just a bonus. But without an option no one can help, and they rarely ask “how can I pay for what your giving away” like I did in this post.