NancyDec 16, 2022
Matt Blaze

Remember: Running a Mastodon server well isn't free or even cheap. If you have the means, consider financially supporting not just the Mastodon project generally, but also your local instance.

There's likely to be another stampede of new users here, and while more voices will make this system richer and more useful, it will inevitably also put a strain on existing resources.

Dec 16, 2022 at 2:40amWeb
Show threadMatt BlazeDec 16, 2022
Note: I have no connection to the Mastodon project or any instance, other than as a user and donor.
Show threadDavid CarrollDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze thank you for your ongoing support 
Show threadjcmortreuxDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze how do the finances work? I’d be happy to pay a fee if I know it’s just paying for costs (incl. labour)
Show threadsbiDec 16, 2022
@jcmortreux @mattblaze Have a look at your instance's about page.
Show threadyawnboxDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze i recommend admins form as a tax-deductible 501(c)(3), but LLC is better than nothing, if you're in the USA, getting certain liability and lawsuit insurance, understanding DMCA requirements, i can't imagine running a large instance. I still hope @eff makes a legal primer for USA admins, there's a lot of legal risk running one
Show threadMatt BlazeDec 16, 2022
@yawnbox @eff Yes, definitely both. 501c3 also makes it a lot easier to solicit donations, and a lot easier to donate.
Show threadVoronDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze pledge drives like pbs/npr get people from multiple servers to coordinate talk to Jeff from newsie
Show threadJackie GardinaDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze I became a super supporter of my instance for a small monthly fee. I appreciate all the work that goes into maintaining this (ad free) place.
Show threadMorganDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze this but I'd say prioritize your local instance over the Mastodon project. Eugen is getting enough money as it is, and most of the other people involved aren't getting paid by that money.
Show threadMatt BlazeDec 16, 2022
@raphaelmorgan People should prioritize however they see fit. Operations and development are both important.
Show threadMorganDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze of course it's up to them, but the way you phrased your post made it seem as though Eugen should come first.
And I agree that development is as important as operations, but Eugen's Patreon alone is making over $30k a *month* while many server admins are putting more money into their server than they're getting out of it, much less getting paid adequately for their labor. If server admins were getting paid more than developers, I'd recommend prioritizing developers. It's not importance
Show threadSkyler (Star Group)Dec 16, 2022
@raphaelmorgan @mattblaze yeah i don't think the Mastodon dev needs more money, and i do support two instances i have accounts on on Patreon, it's only a little bit of money but it's something
Show threadSteven Capsuto - Alt. ChannelsDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze I've been trying to figure out how to do that. I have active accounts on three servers, and see no obvious donor links or info on any of them.
Show threadIrvin LinDec 16, 2022

@StevenCapsuto Most instances have a donor link on their about pages.

For your current techhub account, visit the techhub.social website.

Then click on the about page. There’s a donor link right there, under the Welcome sentence.

https://techhub.social/about

@mattblaze

TechHub

A hub primarily for passionate technologists, but everyone is welcome

Mastodon hosted on techhub.social
Show threadSteven Capsuto - Alt. ChannelsDec 16, 2022
@eatthelove @mattblaze Thanks!
Show threadChefRavenDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze Thanks for the reminder. Just made a donation via OpenCollective.
Show threadKim ScheinbergDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze
How are you liking federate.social? I've been looking to leave mas.to
Show threadMatt BlazeDec 16, 2022
@kims it seems quite well run.
Show threadSir SiersDec 16, 2022
@kims why leave mas.to? I picked it kinda randomly but am interested in reasons to stay/leave.
Show threadAndrew TergisDec 16, 2022

@mattblaze The other piece of this that's unique to Mastodon is that an instance admin is also responsible for moderation, both internal AND external to the instance: both kicking bad actors out, AND choosing which instances to defederate (block).

So there's an additional, human cost that often goes unconsidered.

Show threadMike DDec 16, 2022

@mattblaze

I've donate to the project and set up a monthly donation to my instance.

Matt, would you amplify how to donate to Mastodon in general? Yours is only the second one I've seen promoting this.

Mike

Show threadTheLadyVetDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze how does that happen?
Show threadxdgDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze How about $8/month? 😁
Show threadRedDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze mastodon.world runs a really smooth server!
Show threadThomas H Jones IIDec 16, 2022

@mattblaze I'm more wondering how the federation is going to scale. It already seems to be creaking, tonight.

Absent some (newer?) nodes moving to paid memberships, not sure how site's will fund themselves without resorting to data harvesting activities: seems unlikely you're gonna get VCs hopping on.

Show threadMOVED:They faux'd around & found out!Dec 16, 2022
@[email protected] -Already giving what I can through patreon subscription.
Show threadJacob Alan HensonDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze Oh, I didn't know that. Thanks for the heads up!
Show threadlnmnkatzDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze I don't really advocate running your own instance, but if you are trying to do that under Ubuntu I may be able to offer useful info, but YMMV.
Show threadJeff, Angry Ex-RepublicanDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze Absolutely. I became a patron as soon as I signed up. I encourage others to do the same. I support NPR, Wikimedia, Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen and others, why not Mastodon?
Show threadIcarosityDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze I haven't figured out how to contribute to my instance. Are there instructions somewhere?
Show threadmörkringeDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze after Elon’s dump yard blaze, I’d be happy to contribute a modest regular sum. Just to piss him off, if for nothing else.
(really modest but nevertheless)
Show threadTsumami Dec 16, 2022
@mattblaze this is where the reality of being forced to accept advertising is going to end up coming into play, even with the decentralized nature of this place there will end up being a few instances that will end up being more popular than the others and will end up holding the largest amount of users.
That is a hefty electric bill to pay without advertiser money.
Show threadDavidDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze How do you do this? Keen for open source distributed platforms to win the day.
Show threadPatrick O'BeirneDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze I donated but it's a pity that 20% goes to overheads. Is there a more efficient alternative @mastodonie ?
Show threadMissMarlynDec 16, 2022
@mattblaze Please explain how to donate.
Show threadDave WakemanDec 16, 2022

@mattblaze No doubt.

I try to throw my instance a couple of bucks every few weeks. It is worth it to make sure they can keep the operation running.