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Why do people host Lemmy instances and how do they pay for them? (lemm.ee)

submitted 2 years ago by flashgnash@lemm.ee to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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[–] BitsOfBeard@vlemmy.net 11 points 2 years ago (2 children)

That's great! It's kind of a crowdfunded instance, then. Makes me wonder if it would be feasible to implement some sort of collection box plugin or something...

[–] maegul@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago

Yes ... if anyone is a developer looking for ways to provide value to the fediverse ... I suspect the donation process is probably of high value.

I don't know the best way for it to be done ... but something so that it's easy for users to setup a single or regular donation and easy for devs and admins to put the relevant button right into their platform ... all so that whoever is willing to donate has every opportunity to do so.

[–] Snapz 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yes, and I know it's counter to the core motivations of this movement, but probably need a centralized repository for donation that can be a universal door for funds that can then be distributed to vulnerable, but active, instances. Needs to be run by a collective of reps from instances meeting a minimum threshold of support for the community. Also needs to be nimble enough to revoke funding is an instance takes a hard evil turn.

Or maybe just an app/site that recommends a distribution of a set monthly amount (e.g. 30 bucks) to the instances you use the most as a user?

[–] Deebster@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I don't think we need that at all. Each instance can look after its own hosting and funding.

A centralised pot is asking for trouble - what about theft or corruption? What happens about disagreements like defederation? Seems a lot more trouble than it's worth.

[–] Snapz 1 points 2 years ago

I hear you, but with funding you want to remove barriers when someone has that moment of generosity. I deliberately said it was counter and not an easy solve by any means, but if I decide to donate, then start to think...

which instance?
do I think they have longevity?
do I support more than one?
If yes to above, what's the split?
had I looked into people's ethics enough to donate money to them
etc., etc.

All that is a great way for me to say, "I'll get to this later when I have time" and ultimately not donate at all - even if I had the initial impulse to do so.

Versus, this is the pot, it's vetted, or had a transparent structure and communal management and a plan to distribute based on need.

If we're serious about this place maintaining at scale (or better, collection of places) it's a hard problem we might want to invest time in.