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Idea #25383: Hard to donate to developers

Written by fmfrisch the 16 Jul 10 at 00:36. Category: Others. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: New
Rationale
Right now there is no easy way of donating to the programmers who produce the software that you love. Sure, Canonical is about to introduce applications that you can buy in the software center. However, app. producers who feel that they do not like to charge their customers might still appreciate an small donation. I think a lot of donations get lost on the way to the receiver. People want to, but it's just too much work finding the developers website finding a way of donating pay pal etc.

67
votes
closed
Solution #2: And add the licence (GPL,MPL,... commercial,...) and the project website
Written by Ssdg the 19 Jul 10 at 22:11.
Sometimes, the project might not be registered on flatter, or maybe they need something else. (maybe translations, ideas, bug reports,...) thoses kind of contributions would be easier with a link to the project's website.
-12
votes
closed
Solution #3: Pledgie
Written by michaelforrest the 27 Jul 10 at 12:48.
Like on Github!
They must have a decent API - the github integration is tight.
http://pledgie.com
4
votes
closed
Solution #4: Ubuntu One Store integrated in Software Center and Synaptics
Written by djbelieny the 6 Oct 10 at 22:44.
Since Canonical and the Ubuntu team are heavy on the integration of the Ubuntu One, why not just create an integrated publishing and payment/donation system through the U1 store ? Devs can have their site and also have a nice app store like page for their products in the Ubuntu One environment.

Propose your solution

Attachments
spec Blueprint donations: [Information on this blueprint will be retrieved soon]


Duplicates


Comments
anantshri wrote on the 19 Jul 10 at 19:03
if you are adding it i suggest why not in synaptic also...

Cityscape (Idea reviewer) wrote on the 19 Jul 10 at 21:08
I agree, it should also be added to Synaptic.

splashote wrote on the 22 Jul 10 at 15:51
Great idea.
Flattr is an upcoming donation system. Ubuntu could prove its modern and human spirit by enabling users to flattr software developers.

I'd LOVE to see this in the next Ubuntu versions.

I'm already using flattr and there are already a couple of linux-related projects/sites that are listed.

splashote wrote on the 22 Jul 10 at 16:01
btw: Flattr was co-founded by Linus himself!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flattr


;)

Auzy wrote on the 22 Jul 10 at 16:31
Hahah.. A linus.. NOT the linus.

I have a flattr membership (haven't used it yet), but does anyone know if flattr does any verification to see if the people who post things do actually own the projects?

ethana2 wrote on the 22 Jul 10 at 21:28
I think there comes a point where you've got to say "you want our money? Sign up for x." So, I wouldn't say that just because projects don't use something doesn't mean we shouldn't implement it in the software center. If that's flattr, fine, if it's something Canonical makes themselves, great, whatever.

As long as it's dead easy to use.

splashote wrote on the 23 Jul 10 at 20:47
It would be fine it Canonical wants to introduce an own system BUT the advantage of flattr: It seems to get a widely used system. Once it's established and people are using it, they do not have to sign up for yet another service just to share some money with the developers who's work they appreciate.

Canonical can even try to make a deal with flattr to get a share of the 10% they are receiving right now. It would be a win-win situation: Canonical can use flattr to make it even more attractive to develop GOOD software for Ubuntu (and might make some money itself, even it it'd be only 1%: it sums up!) and flattr gets a good reputation and a bigger userbase.


Of course there is still the risk of bothering people with it, but by making it optional, this is avoided. So there could be an option "Show flattr-buttons" in the settings of the Software Center.

Spread the voice to get more votes on this idea.

Auzy wrote on the 24 Jul 10 at 04:32
One thing to keep in mind though is that flattr is founded by a Pirate bay founder. Also, we shouldn't touch any system unless they actively try to verify that the items posted belongs to the person who posted them..

splashote wrote on the 24 Jul 10 at 18:17
I do not completely understand your doubts.

What's wrong with the guys of Pirate Bay implementing a micro-payment-system?


How should somebody place a button onto a website, blog (etc.) he does not have any access too?

Once a site is hacked, the hacker can do anything he wants, even integrate a flattr-button. But that's not a problem of flattr. ;)

Same for the Software Center: I do not see any scenario where flattr-buttons pose a particular threat.

splashote wrote on the 24 Jul 10 at 18:18
-o

Auzy wrote on the 25 Jul 10 at 06:17
@splashote:

Firstly, I'm simply pointing out it's a projected founded by a pirate bay person. It doesn't make it a direct threat, however, it can pose an indirect threat, because it may be identified as a risk to major companies (such as Sony), who have strong ties to the MPEG guys, which we don't license properly. That being said, I am a fan of flattr, and I also believe Ubuntu needs to start licensing codecs properly.

Personally, I think there should be many options, not only flattr. Developers should be free to choose the payment system they want, but Canonical MUST verify that the account belongs to the official developers

splashote wrote on the 25 Jul 10 at 15:35
Ok, I see your point about verifying the account.

I thinkt it's not hard to be done: Just check whether the e-mail used is the original one of the project. That's it.

However, we should do everything to promote the idea. Once it has sufficient supporters and Canonical likes it, they'll think about the details.


Flattr has nothing to do with Pirate Bay despite the same guys behind it. And linking this fact with codec licensing seems thinking around too many corners. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say.




Auzy wrote on the 26 Jul 10 at 04:47
I understand what you are saying, but just saying there is a slight risk.

What if Pirate bay integrates it into their site for instance, so anyone can submit a torrent, and allow donation links even for pirated software.. Since "some of the guys are working on it", and they aren't actively enforcing it's use legally, it may blow out to be used primarily for illegal purposes.

So I'm saying allow any payment method, but be aware that there are certain risks involved potentially with supporting it as the sole payment system. Anyway, I simply think it needs to support a few providers at launch.

splashote wrote on the 26 Jul 10 at 07:39
The terms of use make clear statements on illegal activities:

" By way of example, and not as a limitation, you agree not to use the Services:
[...]
3. for any illegal or unauthorized purpose. If you are an international user, you agree to comply with all local laws regarding online conduct and acceptable content;
[...]
6. to violate any laws in your jurisdiction (including but not limited to copyright laws)"

Another quotation that might be interesting for you:

"License and Restrictions: If you install the Flattr Button on your site, you warrant that you (or your company if you are using the Service as a representative of your company) own or have licensed all rights to your site, including the content on your site."

So don't worry, flattr is a service aimed at legal content.



I do not claim neither that flattr should be the solely paymand method. If they integrate other ones, fine! But they should all be easy to use!


splashote wrote on the 26 Jul 10 at 07:39
I forgot the link:

https://flattr.com/terms


splashote wrote on the 26 Jul 10 at 14:15
I found a blog entry on flattr and free software:

http://raphaelhertzog.com/2010/07/15/social-micropayment-can-foster-free-softwa re-discover-flattr/


Auzy wrote on the 26 Jul 10 at 21:48
That alleviates my concerns..

splashote wrote on the 28 Jul 10 at 08:02
@ michaelforrest:

Could you please provide more information and a screenshot of the alternative you proposed?

I'm not sure how it looks like.

Thanks.

splashote wrote on the 18 Aug 10 at 15:14
Shutter is on board promotin this idea:

http://shutter-project.org/contribute/

Let's get some vots, guys and girls!!

OMG!Ubuntu! plans to make a blog post an flattr, too. Perhaps they need a reminder to finish it asap.

;)

fmfrisch wrote on the 19 Aug 10 at 14:04
Awesome! Yea lets all promote this idea now. Blog about it and send it to bloggers. The perfect 10 wont be perfect without a donation button!

splashote wrote on the 19 Aug 10 at 15:03
I started a discussion on it in the forums: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=9739317#post9739317

Has already been retweeted a couple of times.

Still expecting OMG!Ubuntu! to blog on it, I suppose that would boost the idea.

fmfrisch wrote on the 19 Aug 10 at 15:58
That is really cool! Yea I sent a message to OMGUBunutu about this idea. Cool that they actually picked it up!

ElijahLynn wrote on the 5 Sep 10 at 19:17
I would love to see a way to uniformly donate to developers. I would not like to see the Ubuntu Software center turn into a place where there are identical versions but one is just appeneded with "- donate version".

I voted for the Flattr idea.

fmfrisch wrote on the 25 Oct 10 at 15:38
Might not be Flattr. But it seems micro-donations/donations of any kind will be implemented!

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/10/sponsor-an-app-model-coming-to-ubuntu-softwa re-centre-in-11-04/

Guy Loach wrote on the 21 Jul 11 at 10:34
I think the Flattr donation system is a brilliant idea and should be implemented in Ubuntu. The minimum amount to donate is $2 but for the creators of Ubuntu I would make a car donation. They deserve it because they have created a good featured OS with a lot of stability. I recently started working on Ubuntu and I was amazed!


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