Donate and support GrapheneOS!
[deleted]
Nuttso
The discussed topic here is how to raise users awareness about donations. I think that your suggestions above, specifically nagging users on their own device, are bad. Putting it like you did in the question seems strange (without a pressure on the users the OS would discontinued), because the OS would be long dead if that worked like you are implying.
The point is that you shouldn't ruin user experience to raise more money. That's crucial.
You can advertise the system and also spread awareness about needed donations on the grapheneos web (anyone who install the system would see it), you can use social media, esp. Twitter etc. I do not at all believe that as someone in this discussion (maybe you?) mentioned that 80% users doesn't know about the chance to donate or care about donations. Personally I think that if someone is interested in leaving Apple or Google and go for GOS they must care a bit, and probably tried to get some information.
I am new user but I noticed that everyday there's someone new asking the questions, starting new thread etc. it means that it doesn't look like the community is diminishing, on contraire. Some of the new users would eventually donate. I am not a mathematician but I can take a hazard guess that with stronger user base it is probable that the number of people who donate will rise.
Also I guess - speaking strictly about the money - there's a much bigger chance to persuade someone to donate by providing better user experience than to attack him with banners or pop up ads that he/ she should consider donating.
This sucks. I've using GOS since the 3A release. I have donated in the past and of course will again. 😞
[deleted]
Daniel Micay has already explained several times, including recently during the passage to android 13, that Grapheneos lacked money and they drew on reserves to continue.
No one, absolutely no one would like to have banners on his phone, except that in the current state, financially, it doesn't work on long term.
And considering that 5 full-time developers to provide an OS, a camera app, a browser, auditor, a pdf viewer, that's probably not enough.
Out of these 80k users. Maybe only 20k flashed the os on their own. Maybe the ratio is even worse. Grapheneos is a fully functional operating system which can compete with companies that charge 3000+ for a device with their os. There is only one company maybe two comparable to grapheneos. It needs at least 30k monthly recurring donations. At least. This is just to keep the status quo. Now with pixel 7 and maybe tablet it's even more. There is a reason why a non profit like signal does all this fancy badges stuff for donators and penetrate the user with donation banners. The reason is because they want to keep it free. You have to do it. Your arguments that all the other channels (twitter, reddit, matrix, board, website) are enough just isn't true. The first step would be to transparently present the community what the current min recurring monthly money actually is. We don't know this. But I'm pretty sure it isn't 30k a month.
The os could include a donations category in the settings menu. Maybe after "about phone". This could include different ways to directly donate. For example paysafe. Only this could be enough. If it doesn't achieve any significant goals. A lil bit more pressure.
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[deleted] i think you are misunderstanding what I mean with banner. I don't want a constant banner on the screen. For example. Monthly security update finished downloading. Or even better the last update prior to the transition to AOSP 14. When finished it could just present after reboot a screen with maybe a text like this:
"We are happy that you use the os and would love the continue support it. As an completely free and open source project aiming to be a non profit someday we need financial help. (list all monthly expenses). Please consider donating 10 USD to the project. (List all possible donation options) thank you very much. This screen will not be presented anymore. If you wish to donate later. Please go to settings > donation"
This with paysafe would be a game changer.
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Fhggyy5767 nobody said something like this. But if you follow the project you can see it is financially not in the situation that it can grow. They have to carefully decide what feature they ship. All this needs maintenance and porting to new major releases.
Look there is your example. He provides his school friends with gos. How many devices did you already flashed??? How many end users really know the ways to donate?
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Honestly I would even be surprised if 20k out of 100k users flashed on their own. No matter if the web installer is idiot proof.
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There is a lot of talk in this thread here from people that seem not to understand what resources are actually needed and what is available. The developers work 60+ a week. I would completely take the updating infra down and make it subscription only. It's not directly part of the os. If they source is kept up to date. Everybody could compile himself. This could even be done by a script that downloads the latest builds automatically and builds the os. Only @[deleted] seems to have an idea where we are and where it is going.
If all of you who disagree with me here would know the project a lil better, you wouldn't disagree.
Nuttso I don't believe some of the ideas I just read about a notice after updating as a reminder is too intrusive. I will tell you that everyone who I know that has this OS on their phone researched the OS and knows about donating. My point wasn't that someone said it's going to be discontinued, my point was from a promotional standpoint don't use that verbage if you don't want to scare people from altering their device to a OS that's on the verge of collapse. I believe a meter on the header of the websites showing the goal and progress would be a good idea. Also, the idea about after a update the restart screen could do the same thing or just post a reminder. I wouldn't want anything baked in to my phone about donating, a app for donating or whatever it might be. I'm smart enough to know how to go online and donate. The reminders and status of goal progress on websites or after a update would be plenty.
I'm 100% sure that if my approach would be implemented a lot more people would donate. Especially something so simple as paysafecard pins.
The exact approach has yet to be defined. How much stress to put on the end user. How to make it even easier than it currently is to donate. Finding some right balance needs tact.
It is not shameful to kindly remind the end users that more than air and love is needed to survive.
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Fhggyy5767 how many devices did you already flash or think are going to flash. I'm curious.
Fhggyy5767 You're making assumptions about others. Tell me which messenger app you use? I assume Signal or maybe even molly. Since you value security. Or maybe conversations.im?
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Notice what they all have baked in? What exactly would be your problem with a donation category in settings? Or even maybe hidden in about phone. Would this make your experience so much worse?
Nuttso What the hell are you talking about? lol. No one said anything about not donating. I actually agree it should be promoted. Just because someone doesn't agree with your opinion about adding a pay method to their device is no reason to come across crass. I don't use Signal. Who cares what messenger other users use? I'll help flash as many devices as possible. I believe in promoting GOS and I have been for over 3 years.
Fhggyy5767 i never wrote anything about not donating. My point is that sadly it is a must to include it somehow in the os. At least till it reaches the state that it can sustain itself. The Messenger was just an example. All these free messengers. Considered to be the most secure. Have build in donation options. And there is a reason why it is.
Nuttso sorry I have to post what you wrote about me making assumptions "You're making assumptions about others. Tell me which messenger app you use? I ASSUME Signal or maybe even molly". Who's making assumptions? Xanax is the prescription I'll be prescribing today. Best of luck
Fhggyy5767 I'm smart enough to know how to go online and donate.
This is what this comment is pointed at. A lot aren't. More than you think.
Nuttso You did say something about people not donating. Here it is "It is not shameful to kindly remind the end users that more than air and love is needed to survive". Chill out man. You can't even remember what you just wrote