You realize that .ml is also the development instance used by the devs? Where they test features, fix issues, and so forth before rolling it out to lemmy as a whole?
The costs of running .ml are also miniscule compared to the cost of living two full time working people require, I read in another comment it is only like 30 bucks a month for the instance.
I also find it a little silly that people love lemmy but hate on .ml. Lemmy is the brainchild of two far leftists, made with leftist concepts and goals in mind. You can’t separate those two things…
“Love your work, but fuck you and your beliefs I won’t support that. Also please continue work on the free product I like”.
*disclaimer: I’m just as russo- and sinophobe as the next guy. Fuck them, their dystopian countries and values. I just don’t really care the people making lemmy might not entirely (lol) agree with that.
possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 3 months ago
I totally agree with you
If they want my money there needs to be some sort of non profit structure that keeps track of the money in a public way. It is hard to know where the money is actually going. I also do not want to support lemmyml in any way even if it is a development instance. If they wanted my support they shouldn’t of banned people for not holding crazy ideologies. I can not support them and it wrong for them to try guilt trip the community into giving them money. There is no way to know where it is going and why. If they can no longer support Lemmy do to financial reasons that’s fine. Lemmy is a community project and has plenty of people to work on it.
nutomic@lemmy.ml 3 months ago
I would definitely like to setup a foundation to handle the finances for Lemmy. But doing that requires a significant amount of time and money, which we do not have yet. Also lemmy.ml hosting is exclusively paid via Opencollective, all other donation options go directly to developer salaries.
possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 3 months ago
If you set up a foundation with a board composed of unbiased individuals I would support you in heart beat.
The problem I have is supporting two individuals who potentially have an political agenda. I get that Lemmy is ultimately your project but it would make me feel better having it controlled by the community. I don’t mind you making a salary but I think there needs to be some sort of accountability.
nutomic@lemmy.ml 3 months ago
Creating a foundation requires a significant amount of time and effort, and also results in extra overhead for regular tax declarations and other management. I dont think its feasible at this time, but definitely something I want to do in the future.