160 points

Seems like a reasonable donation prompt; it’s infrequent, unobtrusive, and can be easily dismissed and disabled. Some people are so sensitive to the idea of any sort of soliciting that they forget projects do need money to function.

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28 points
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Yup. I like their just in December approach too. I have a problem with distrohopping so I’m often re-setting up my system. Every time I do, Thunderbird pops up donation prompts both in the app and in my browser. I get why they do it, but it’s annoying when that happens. KDE’s approach avoids this pitfall.

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-30 points

Some people just don’t like their OS being used for that purpose and want it to be just a tool that shuts up and does exactly as it’s told and no more. I can see that point of view. Our computers aren’t free billboards. It’s like when car dealers stick their own custom logo on the cars they sell to people.

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68 points

The difference is, that you’re using something for free, and you can disable this very easily.

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-5 points

I get that. I was just saying why it might tick some people off. My idea of a good OS is one that you don’t even notice while using it. It just sits in the background doing its thing and you don’t have to think about whether you’re using KDE, Gnome, or whatever, because it never makes itself known and you just happily use your programs.

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12 points

I understand this, but we need to be reasonable and avoid extremes. This software is extensively free (as in beer) and requires development support. As long as the prompt doesn’t cross any lines into exploitive territory I think it’s fine. It would be nice for them to have explored other fundraising avenues first though and have saved this as an exhaustive “final” option.

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-5 points

This software is extensively free (as in beer)

No…it’s not. It’s free to download and to use, but the expectation that people contribute in exchange for using it is how FOSS has always worked.

That doesn’t necessarily mean monetary. But contributing can be helping with user guides, or making youtube tutorials, or even just extending the reach of the program to friends and family by talking about it.

There are many ways to contribute, and money is one. But the notion that Open Source software is “free as in beer” has never been correct. Users have an expectation to contribute…period.

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138 points

A lot of people here have such a bizarre stance.

People have put work into this, for free. And the moment they ask for support, you immediately bring the pitchforks out, over a singular pop-up you can permanently disable? That’s just plain disrespectful, at the very least

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44 points

Unfortunately, there has always been the issue that a not-insignificant percentage of users of FOSS software believe the FREE part means “free as in beer” and take umbrage when asked to contribute.

I’ve long been a proponent (and I know I’m in a minority) that has advocated for a shift in the marketing of FOSS applications from “donation based” to “value based”. Meaning that the expectation is that if you enjoy the software, you pay an amount that you believe is commensurate to your use. This is voluntarily of course…if you can’t pay, than please use it and enjoy it. But those who can pay, should pay…at least a little bit, to offset the costs for those who can’t.

It’s more or less that the wording of FOSS apps needs to change so that you are expected to contribute if you can.

Just my opinion. Like I said, I know I’m in the minority. Just not a fan of the percentage of users that has always existed that (falsely) think that asking for money for your project is somehow anathema to the Open Source ideal and whine whenever they’re asked to contribute.

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10 points

Also what the hell is up with everyone saying “free as beer”?

Beer isn’t free!

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21 points

The full saying is “Free as in Speech, not Free as in Beer”

Basically the “Free” in free means that it’s free to do with as you please, modify, etc… But not free as in “here’s a free product…like getting a free beer”

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4 points
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Removed by mod
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3 points
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Removed by mod
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4 points

While I absolutely agree with what you are trying to say and donate to kde myself already. The issue with a lot of comments like yours is that the examples you use are almost always commercial software that already only see’s limited use. I get value out of non commerical use applications such as dolphin, kate, konsole, and kdeconnect. Finding examples of popular paid versions of those applications would go a long way in my opinion because it would be something that more people can relate to.

The problem I see with the examples you are giving are the same problems I see when someone uses those examples as reasons why they can’t switch to linux in the first place. And that is the fact that while those programs are popular. They aren’t used by the vast majority of people who don’t have a work related need to use them. Half the people that claim it as an excuse probably don’t actually use those programs as well.

Your examples such as Cyberduc, Elmedia, and BBBedit are your stronger examples. Again just my opinion.

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The Duck applications are all pretty nice.

They make more apps than just Cyberduck?

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1 point

I like that terminology. I use some very high quality, high visibility FOSS software and sometimes feel bad that I more frequently donate to smaller projects that bring me value by filling a specific want or need that no one else is working on.

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13 points

I’m not against the idea, but I do think it’s a bit unfair. There are dozens of projects KDE relies on that never even get the chance to ask for donations this way, simply because they don’t need a GUI.

I believe KDE should at least offer to share the donations with other projects, projects that would otherwise have no voice. Something like the old Humble Bundle donation method would work really well, and let users to choose how their money is allocated.

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9 points

While I understand where you are coming from. That goes for a lot of projects in general. Not to mention that KDE is literally an example of the thing you are talking about. KDE has an entire ecosystem of libraries that anyone can use called kde frameworks with many examples of these libraries being used on various projects large and small outside of KDE. They don’t see a dime from this either. I recall a conference on TechHut’s youtube channel spotting KDE’s frameworks in the wild being used by companies at the event.

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3 points

And KHTML! Basically, KDE work is the foundation of the browser engines behind Chromium and Safari.

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4 points
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The one change I would make would be adding a “never” button to the notification so you don’t have to disable it in the settings if you don’t want it

Or actually “Don’t show again” would probably be better phrasing

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-15 points

From experience with Windows “freeware” some of us have seen what happens when such pop-up notices become commonplace. It is not pretty.

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32 points

This isn’t Windows, and this isn’t freeware

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18 points

This isnt freeware.

“Free” in free software is free like free speech, not free as in beer.

This is one of the places where english fails. Libre vs gratis

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-9 points

Sorry, I was assuming everyone knew that. Should’ve said “nagware” instead.

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11 points

If you don’t like it, don’t use it.
Then you also don’t cause any more cost to the KDE project.

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-8 points

The claim that more users increases costs for the KDE project in any meaningful way is another thing that might be disputed. The examples given do not seem convincing.

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1 point

So the reason it makes me uneasy is that at the same time as I do want KDE to succeed, I do not want this tactic of begging for money in annoying little on-screen pop-ups to succeed. If it does, then perhaps it might spread to other free software projects. If all of the hundreds of them that go into a linux distribution start feeling free to make their demands it will be a real mess. As some old philosopher said: To judge the morality of an action, consider what would happen if everyone did it.

I remain an Xfce user. They also accept donations.

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-39 points

It’s not complicated.

It’s an ad.

There’s no version of advertising I will ever be OK with.

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28 points

Not an ad. No one is trying to sell you anything.

(If you get the notification) you’re already using their product.

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-34 points

Yes, it is an ad. Any call to action is an ad.

And its mere presence will ensure I don’t give them any more money. The core concept of inserting any ad in an OS is not behavior I am willing to reward.

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19 points
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Then just not use it? You could even ask for a refund, I’m sure they’ll give it to you.

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13 points

Your entitlement is Karen level.

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10 points

You’re advertising your opinion here, is that okay?

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79 points

Now this is much better than getting ads in your Start Menu.

https://kde.org/donate/

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50 points

As long as the “No Thanks” button is a one and done go-away button, I think this is a decent idea!

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36 points

It’s once per year, easily dismissed, and can be permanently disabled. Seems entirely reasonable for a piece of free software that someone would use everyday

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43 points

I do suspect a small but vocal crowd of people will spread doom and gloom about it on social media anyway, of course.

I see they’re here already

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