Powerbob

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Wedge financial support
« on June 6th, 2011, 09:40 AM »
Will you be doing something similar to charter members? to give financial support?

Bob

Arantor

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Re: Wedge financial support
« Reply #1, on June 6th, 2011, 09:45 AM »
I honestly don't know.

I always had the impression that the SMF team hated it because they actually had some reasonably responsibility to those who had donated, which is sort of at odds with the whole 'volunteer community' thing they keep pushing. And, FWIW, I don't like feeling as though I owe anything to anyone. I build, because I enjoy building, and anything else tends to grate at me.
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Nao

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Re: Wedge financial support
« Reply #2, on June 6th, 2011, 10:08 AM »
When we need funds we'll figure it out. We aren't doing this for money -- the real money is not in free software. I come from a business world where money is everything. Meh.

Powerbob

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Re: Wedge financial support
« Reply #3, on June 6th, 2011, 10:25 AM »
Quote from Nao/Gilles on June 6th, 2011, 10:08 AM
When we need funds we'll figure it out. We aren't doing this for money -- the real money is not in free software. I come from a business world where money is everything. Meh.
Quote from Arantor on June 6th, 2011, 09:45 AM
I honestly don't know.

I always had the impression that the SMF team hated it because they actually had some reasonably responsibility to those who had donated, which is sort of at odds with the whole 'volunteer community' thing they keep pushing. And, FWIW, I don't like feeling as though I owe anything to anyone. I build, because I enjoy building, and anything else tends to grate at me.
Yes I can understand that  :lol:

[Unknown]

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Re: Wedge financial support
« Reply #4, on June 19th, 2011, 10:19 AM »
Quote from Arantor on June 6th, 2011, 09:45 AM
I always had the impression that the SMF team hated it because they actually had some reasonably responsibility to those who had donated
This is why I intentionally saw it as only a "sponsor" type thing.  Yes, I cared to make them happy and wanted to support them first.  But I never liked the idea of priority support or guarantees.

-[Unknown]

MultiformeIngegno

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Dr. Deejay

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Re: Wedge financial support
« Reply #6, on June 19th, 2011, 10:32 AM »
Hey [Unknown]! Welcome! :D It's a pleasure to meet you sir :)

Nao

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Eros

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Re: Wedge financial support
« Reply #8, on June 19th, 2011, 08:52 PM »
Quote from Nao/Gilles on June 6th, 2011, 10:08 AM
When we need funds we'll figure it out. We aren't doing this for money -- the real money is not in free software. ...
Sad but true. Well, if I end up using  Wedge, I wouldn't mind donating a bit when you need it. :D
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TE

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Re: Wedge financial support
« Reply #9, on June 19th, 2011, 08:59 PM »
If you need a (german)  download mirror feel free to drop me a PM.
Thorsten "TE" Eurich - Former SMF Developer & Converters Guru

Powerbob

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ARG

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Re: Wedge financial support
« Reply #11, on August 22nd, 2011, 01:00 AM »
Quote from Powerbob on August 21st, 2011, 11:24 PM
+1  :cool:
I agree. I normally donate to a good cause, something that I appreciate or enjoy and expect no special treatment in return. The problem is that many that donate have the idea that they are owed something for their generosity. They fail to conceive the true meaning of the word "donation".
One should not expect to be singled out for special treatment simply because of offering a donation. That would more or less be considered payment for services, not a donation.

 ;)

Arantor

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Re: Wedge financial support
« Reply #12, on August 22nd, 2011, 01:12 AM »
Quote
One should not expect to be singled out for special treatment simply because of offering a donation. That would more or less be considered payment for services, not a donation.
Then such setups should be very careful when offering services in return for a 'donation'. I am thinking here of the SMF Charter program, which is ostensibly a donation but offers services that go above and beyond the sort of thing that a donation would entail.

For example, MobyGames has a donation setup. If you donate, you get a little star by your name, to recognise the fact that you donated to the cause. There's no service attached, merely an indicator that you donated to the cause.

Similarly, I don't really have a problem with getting a badge indicating a donation was made. But when that donation involves access to a private help area, which includes installation and upgrades potentially being made for you, that's something else altogether.[1]

This is also why somewhere I discussed getting t-shirts sorted out, simply because that way you get something tangible and there's no ethical debate over it being donation vs. service. You're buying a tangible good, rational transaction of money for goods.
 1. I'm not sure whether I'd consider access to pre-release builds as being a reward for a donation or part of something better described as a service, because there's more going on than a simple exchange of money for builds, invariably bugs and so on are reported, which means they can be fixed. It's almost a form of contribution *back*, especially from people who are actually invested and thus more likely to give back. It's certainly an interesting topic for debate.

ARG

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Re: Wedge financial support
« Reply #13, on August 22nd, 2011, 05:02 AM »
I really wouldn't consider the SMF Charter program a form of donation acceptance. They state that if you donate a certain amount of funds then you will be given Charter access and/or certain, specific benefits. To me this is not a form of donation but special services or privileges for a set price. This is sales, not a donation program.
A donation is a form of presenting a gift or contribution without the expectation of receiving something in return. Other than some form of acknowledgement, if desired, nothing else should be expected from the result of donating.
Although I see nothing wrong with offering members a choice to donate if they like, I have no issue paying for certain services but if I desire to donate, I certainly do not expect a reward.

 ;)

Arantor

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Re: Wedge financial support
« Reply #14, on August 22nd, 2011, 09:00 AM »
Quote
I really wouldn't consider the SMF Charter program a form of donation acceptance.
Precisely my point. It is ostensibly a donation program but the reality is that it is much closer to being a paid service than a donation.
Quote
A donation is a form of presenting a gift or contribution without the expectation of receiving something in return. Other than some form of acknowledgement, if desired, nothing else should be expected from the result of donating.
Yup. Like I said, I personally would be comfortable with offering a badge to indicate donor, but anything beyond that is questionable.