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GitHub launches Sponsors, a Patreon-style funding tool for developers
GitHub is adding the ability for developers to accept recurring monthly payments from supporters, who can fund their work on open-source software. The feature, called GitHub Sponsors, works exactly like Patreon. Developers can offer various funding tiers that come with different perks, and they'll receive recurring payments from supporters who want to access them and encourage their work.
Bringing this model to GitHub could be a huge addition for developers of open-source software. By its nature, developing open-source software — which anyone can freely use — isn't profitable, but open-source software is critical to much of the tech we use every day, from the core of Android to small tools embedded inside larger programs. Developers can already turn to Patreon or other funding platforms to raise money, but building this tool directly into GitHub, the leading repository for open-source software, could make that even easier for them.
Also at TechCrunch, Engadget, and Lifehacker.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by aiwarrior on Tuesday May 28 2019, @10:30AM (5 children)
I think that the recurring is too onerous for most people and this means there will be effectively a subscription for software. Software subscriptions are only worth if we are talking about very mature and big software. I envision either funding runs for a given feature or pay for an issue or feature. Much more manageable and closer to what the paying part can "touch". The concept of patron is quite a luxury expense. I supported a patreonist for some time but I just do not see financial justification to support him over undefined period of time.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Bot on Tuesday May 28 2019, @12:03PM (3 children)
Indeed, I think they have managed to find a compromise between FOSS and proprietary software that will piss off both proponents. FOSS proponents will be pissed because they fear this will pollute FOSS with a score of me too devs who want quick bucks. Proprietary owners of software houses will be pissed because the recurring donation is essentially a tax avoidant way to getting paid for coding.
Well, M$ bought github for a reason, and you don't EEE without the Extend part.
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(Score: 3, Informative) by takyon on Tuesday May 28 2019, @01:58PM (2 children)
WTF, bad take from a bad bot. Crowdfunding is perfect for FOSS proponents, and if they are envying how much other people are making, they aren't busy enough. Software companies won't care because they can't do anything about it and the funding model has been around for a "long" time now. There are already coders using Patreon [google.com].
FOSS devs can already avoid taxes by setting up a non-profit [videolan.org].
If FOSS devs reject this, it's because they would be giving Microsoft a cut. Which means they have to go to Patreon or some other platform.
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(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 28 2019, @05:44PM
yeah, i'm not going to use it, b/c i don't need any suited whores in my private business, especially Microsoft. i'm sure many bootlicking devs will love it, though.
(Score: 2) by Bot on Thursday May 30 2019, @03:09PM
Crowdfunding is task oriented financing, traditionally. Nothing wrong with that, it's in the free software manifesto itself basically.
I was discussing recurring payments.
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(Score: 2) by takyon on Tuesday May 28 2019, @01:38PM
There are people (including programmers and game developers) making absolute bank off of recurring payments (Patreon). The trick is probably to sell a personality along with the coding. Which probably means doing a YouTube channel.
People who use this to get funding probably won't quit their day job immediately, and won't limit themselves to one option.
Also, I would be surprised if the GitHub version didn't have a one-time donation option.
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